10 Untrue Answers To Common ADHD Diagnoses Questions Do You Know The Right Answers?
10 Untrue Answers To Common ADHD Diagnoses Questions Do You Know The Right Answers?
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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.
The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They may request old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
Symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. These symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and performing a physical examination. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms are affecting your life at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.
During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also go over your child's developmental, medical history and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior with those of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting others.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in a variety of settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A complete psychiatric examination can include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation.
During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek information from someone who knows the patient well like siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that symptoms must be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to hold jobs. They also have to be treated with respect.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time but it's not the most common. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are variations in the way that the disorder presents itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. This includes an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed scales of rating that are completed by family members and read more teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning.
A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.
People who are who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.
The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely effective for children and adults with this condition as well. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.