ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults, diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough examination by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and do an examination of your body. They will also rule out conditions which can mimic ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors as current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could mean getting your school records as well as contact with your former teachers and coaches or religious leaders.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one is struggling to keep up at work, school, or home, has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is struggling to get organized it could be that you suffer from ADHD. A health care professional's assessment will help you determine if this is the case and, if so what your treatment options are.
To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis The symptoms must be present for at least six months and be evident in at least two settings (school and at home, for instance). They should also seriously interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, such as doing well in class, developing close relationships, or functioning on teams. It's important to realize that everyone has trouble staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
To make a diagnosis, your physician will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also review your family history, as well as any previous psychological or medical tests that you may have taken. They will also look for health issues like thyroid disorders or seizures, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you whether you've ever experienced symptoms in childhood (technically before the age of 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms impact you today and how they've affected you in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, especially if they are written down. This will help you to remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they impact you. You can also bring documents like the performance evaluations you receive from work or old school report cards. These records can help your provider determine if ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your provider determine if there are other issues including depression and anxiety that share similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or laziness. With the advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more children are diagnosed and the stigma around the disorder is slowly fading.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were inattentive or unable to concentrate. He also observed that the symptoms were more common for boys than girls and were not related the quality of education or home environments. The report is often credited with the start of formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric manual released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968, which listed several mental health conditions. The second edition of the APA's manual included a variety of mental health conditions, such as ADHD symptoms.
With the release of the fourth edition of the psychiatric manual in 1994, there was an increase in acceptance and understanding of ADHD. Its name was changed to Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity and the standard definition of three types of ADHD symptoms was established: mostly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. The current DSM-5 considers these to be manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they are able to change over time.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as an entire recognized adults suffering from ADHD and provided them with financial aid, healthcare support and guidance. adhd uk diagnosis (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland recommendations regarding the condition. Private organisations and charities have also issued guidance. In recent years there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to find the genes responsible for it. This information can help develop better targeted, more effective treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
An expert in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to determine if they have a diagnosis. They collect information from the past of the patient including their family, education, employment and social history. They will look over old school records and may interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they impact life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed over time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, outlines the criteria for diagnosing ADHD in children and adults. To meet these criteria, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present in multiple settings, cause significant impairment and have started before age 12. The doctor will usually talk to the person regarding their symptoms using the appropriate questionnaire to the particular situation. They will also use different rating scales to look at different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be built on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults. Other ratings will be based on other criteria, such as "Do you find it difficult to sit still?" and "Do you struggle to organize your time or tasks?"
They will conduct an examination of the body. They will determine if there are any medical conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to get worse, like thyroid disorder, vision or hearing issues. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these could be contributing to symptoms.
If a person is being assessed for ADHD at the age of adulthood the person will be asked to fill out an assessment with a partner or a close family member. This can help uncover personal insight that questionnaires and checklists unable to provide. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression that often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask a series of questions on how the symptoms impact their daily lives. They also look into a patient's family history and their mental health.
They could request an original copy of the student's reports or school records, specifically those from kindergarten through high school. They may also ask for copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological tests, including the results of IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or a social worker conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnosis evaluation. They might also interview friends, family members and teachers as well as employers. It is important to get an accurate assessment as people who suffer from ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. This includes financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure at college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor might ask the patient to complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based upon research that compares behaviors of those with ADHD and those without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD but they play an important aspect of the process of evaluating.
It is also essential to check the person for other conditions that could exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD like mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical illnesses, such as head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the correct diagnosis and to receive the right treatment.
To be considered to have ADHD, either a child or an adult must meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptomatic behavior in at least two different settings, such as school, home, and work. The symptoms must also severely hinder the normal functioning of their lives. Typically, the symptoms must have started in the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.