How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
It's not as easy as taking an online test or using a rating scale. The process includes an evaluation of both psychological and medical.
Doctors look over family and medical histories including school records from the past as well as past tests. They also speak with parents, teachers, and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are typically seen through families.
Symptoms
If someone has trouble staying on task, paying attention to details or starting and finishing tasks that require a lot of attention, it may be ADHD. However, a lot of people suffer from other conditions that can cause the same symptoms as ADHD as well, such as depression and anxiety. That's why an accurate diagnosis is crucial. A thorough examination will help determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder.
A mental health professional with had experience dealing with adult ADHD or psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist who is skilled in ADHD can perform an evaluation. They will ask the person questions and discuss the symptoms. They will also talk about the severity of their symptoms and how long it has been since they began, and how often they happen. They will ask about the person’s family and medical history, their work and school experience, and even their family.
It is important that a doctor knows about any problems a patient may be having, such as relationship or financial issues. The doctor may also wish to talk to the person's teacher or employer about any issues they've encountered with the person's performance in school or at work. For children doctors, they will interview parents and may also need to interview other adults like teachers, coaches, or nannies.
During the exam, the doctor will inquire about the patient's medical history, and then perform a physical. The physical can check for conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid issues. They will also review the individual's academic and work history as well as any other pertinent documents.
The provider may also conduct a psychological or behavioral test. This could include a checklist of symptoms or a rating scale that measures how the individual feels about specific actions. They can also use cognitive or learning disabilities tests to determine if a person suffers from a disorder similar to ADHD, such as a learning problem. They will also ask about the person's life, such as whether they are in a stressful situation or have any other illnesses that can make ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person's ability follow directions and interact with others.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect adults and children in a variety of areas of their lives. testing for adult adhd can be a source of difficulty at school and work, poor performance in extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. They can also cause problems in driving and managing money. The first step to getting an accurate diagnosis is finding a health care professional who is knowledgeable about ADHD. Your child's doctor may perform a screening or you might want to find a psychiatrist who specializes in mental illnesses.
The first thing the specialist will do is question the patient about the behavior of the person. In general the doctor will look for symptoms that have been present for at minimum six months. This will ensure that the symptoms are consistent and they have remained consistent throughout the time. The examiner will use an assessment scale that is designed to assess symptoms of ADHD like the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5 (the official manual for diagnosing psychiatric disorders).
The specialist will also ask about any current issues and review the patient's medical background, including any family history of ADHD. He or she will also review the person's academic and driving history and relationships and family issues. The examiner wants to know the person's habits and whether he or she is a drug or alcohol user.
To diagnose ADHD, a doctor must be able to prove that the symptoms are not related to any other disorder. In general, the symptoms must be present in multiple situations and persist for at minimum six months. Furthermore, the symptoms should be severe and not be due to any other illness.
To confirm a diagnosis the doctor can administer one or more tests of attention, like the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA is administered on a computer and involves observing a sequence of visual stimuli, for example letters or shapes that appear on the screen. The user is able to watch the stimuli and presses the button when they see the correct letter. The TOVA program then calculates scores to determine how much difficulty a person has with tasks that require attention.
Treatment
Someone who has symptoms of ADHD is usually examined for the disorder by an expert in mental health. This will include a thorough physical exam as well as a review of medical and family history, and a psychiatric assessment. The test will consist of questions regarding symptoms and their impact on the individual's functioning, standard ADHD behavior rating scales as well as other psychological tests.
The clinician may also interview the patient's spouse in the event that it is appropriate. The purpose of this is not to assess honesty, but to learn more about the patient's life experiences and behaviours. It is typical for those with ADHD to have difficulty remembering details about their childhood. It can be useful to conduct interviews with people who have known them for a lengthy period of time. This information can help the doctor identify other conditions which may trigger similar symptoms.
For children, the evaluator will often interview the children's teachers and parents. This is especially crucial when a child is having problems at school. Additionally, the examiner will likely inquire about the child's relationships with others and how their school and home life are structured. This is vital, as the social environment is the primary stressor for those with ADHD.
The clinician will utilize the same scale of rating for adult patients. However it is more sophisticated. It is used to collect research data about symptoms. In certain instances the examiner will use computerized testing in order to detect ADHD symptoms. The most commonly used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Another type of test on computers, the continuous performance test (CPT) is a test of an individual's ability to sustain concentration for a specified amount of time.
For young adults and adolescents the evaluator may also examine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning.
Medication
If your child or teen is diagnosed with ADHD medication is likely to be part of the treatment plan. The stimulant medication is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, and offers rapid relief from symptoms. However, these medications should be used with caution. Too much of a stimulant can lead to heart issues or addiction. The medications that enter the body over time, such as the atomoxetine and guanfacine are more secure, but don't perform in the same way as stimulants do. These medications may not be available to children with certain medical conditions like Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease.
Psychotherapy is an additional component of a treatment plan for adults with ADHD. Therapists can assist people to organize themselves better and develop strategies for improving their relationships and work. A therapist can show the patient how to use reminders like alarms or daily planners to keep on track. A therapist can also help people with ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and discover ways to deal with stressors in their lives.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may administer tests to adults suffering from ADHD which test for depression and anxiety as well as learning disabilities. other disorders that could look similar to ADHD or coexist with it, like seizures or thyroid disorders. Psychiatrists can also conduct a physical examination and review the patient's medical records, family history, and behavior.
Some therapists use computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability to maintain attention and resist impulse-driven urges by prompting the person by displaying visual targets on the screen. The test evaluates the cognitive abilities of a person. It can be used with self-report questions to give the clinician an objective assessment of a patient's response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is available which can reveal how a person's body will be able to process drugs. The test can be used to assist doctors in choosing the right medication and avoid adverse effects for each patient. This type of testing can be costly and is not readily available. The most reliable way to determine ADHD is to consult an experienced medical professional.