How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis
Finding a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking an online test or rating scale. The process requires a medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Doctors look over family and medical histories, including old school records and tests from the past. They also talk to parents, teachers, and children about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms are often seen through families.
Symptoms
If someone has trouble staying on task and paying attention to the details or even completing tasks that require a lot of attention it could be ADHD. But, there are many other disorders that can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD which includes anxiety and depression. It is essential to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough examination can determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another disorder.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist who has experience with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask the patient questions and discuss their symptoms. They will also talk about the severity of their symptoms, how long it has been since they started and how often they happen. They will also ask about the person's family and medical history and also about their work and school activities.
It is important that a doctor be aware of any problems a patient may be facing, like financial troubles or relationship issues. The doctor might also want to talk to the person's teacher or employer regarding any issues they've experienced with the person's performance in the classroom or at work. For children doctors, they will interview parents and may also need to speak with other adults, such as coaches, teachers or parents.
During the exam, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, and perform a physical. The physical can check for any conditions that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD or other disorders, like seizure disorders or thyroid problems. They will also look over the individual's education and work history as well as any other relevant documents.
The doctor will also conduct an assessment of the psychological or behavioral. It could be a list of symptoms or a rating system that measures the feelings of an individual about certain behaviors. They may also use tests for cognitive and learning disabilities to determine if a person suffers from a learning disability or other conditions that mimic ADHD. They will also ask the person about their daily routine, including whether they're in stressful situations or have any other medical conditions that can cause ADHD symptoms. They will also inquire about the person's ability to follow instructions and work with other people.
Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can affect both adults and children in many different areas of their lives. They can cause problems at work and school and in other extracurricular activities and strained relationships. These issues can also impact driving and financial. Finding a health professional who is well-versed in ADHD is the first step to making an accurate diagnosis. You can ask your child's doctor to conduct a test or talk to a psychiatrist who is trained in mental illness.
The specialist will first interview the patient regarding their behavior. In general the doctor will look for symptoms that have been present for at least six months. This will ensure that the symptoms have been consistent over time. The examiner will employ a rating scale designed to assess symptoms of ADHD for instance, the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale), or the DSM-5 (the official manual for diagnosing psychiatric disorders).
The doctor will also inquire about any current problems and review the patient's medical history including any family history of ADHD. He or she will also look at the person's academic and driving history, as well as relationship and family problems. The examiner is interested in knowing the person's lifestyle and if they are a drug or alcohol user.
To diagnose ADHD, a doctor must be convinced that the symptoms cannot be explained by any other disorder. The symptoms must be present at least two times and for a minimum of six months. The symptoms must also be debilitating and not triggered by any other disease.
To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor can administer one or more tests of attention, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed on a computer and involves observing a series of visual stimuli, for example shapes or letters, that appear on the screen. The person watches the stimuli and presses a button when or she recognizes the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to show how difficult it is for an individual to complete attention-related tasks.
Treatment
A mental health professional will assess the symptoms of ADHD. This will include an extensive physical exam and review of medical and family history and a psychiatric evaluation. The test will consist of questions regarding symptoms and their impact on a person's functioning, standardized ADHD behavior rating scales, and other psychological testing.
The clinician will also speak with the patient and his significant other, if appropriate. This is not to assess honesty, but to gain insight into the patient's experiences and behavior. It is common for people with ADHD to have difficulty remembering details about their childhood. It is helpful if you interview people who have known them for a lengthy time. This can help the clinician rule other conditions out that may cause similar symptoms.
For children who are evaluators, they will typically interview the parents and teachers of the child. This is particularly important when a child is having difficulties at school. Additionally, the evaluator will likely ask about the child's relationships with others and how his or her school and home life are structured. This is important since the social environment is the primary source of stress and problems for those with ADHD.
In adult patients, the clinician will use a similar rating scale, but it is more sophisticated and used to gather data from research studies on symptoms. In some cases the examiner will use computerized testing in order to determine ADHD symptoms. The most commonly used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Continuous performance test (CPT) is a different type of test using computers that assesses the attention span of an individual.
The evaluator will determine whether the person meets the ADHD diagnostic criteria as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). 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 teenager is diagnosed with ADHD medications will likely be a part of the treatment plan. The stimulant medication is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream and provides quick relief of symptoms. However, these medications must be administered with care. Too much of a stimulant can cause addiction or heart problems. The medications that are released slowly into the body like atomoxetine or Guanfacine are more secure however they don't perform in the same way as stimulants. These medications may also not be available to children with certain medical conditions like Tourette Syndrome or congenital cardiac disease.
Psychotherapy is another part of a treatment program for adults with ADHD. Therapists can help people learn to improve their organization and devise strategies for improving their relationships and work. For instance, a therapist may help a person learn to use reminders such as alarms or daily planners to help them stay on the right track. A therapist can assist adults with ADHD manage their emotions and discover ways to deal with stressors.
For adults suffering from ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist may administer tests that screen for depression, anxiety learning disabilities, depression and other disorders that could appear similar to or coexist with ADHD like seizure disorder or thyroid disorder. Psychiatrists can also conduct an examination of the body and examine the medical records of the patient, their family history and behavior.
Some therapists use computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test evaluates the ability of a person to keep focus and resist impulses by presenting visual targets on the screen of a computer. online tests for adhd and can be used with self-report questions to provide the clinician an objective assessment of a patient’s response to treatment.
A newer genetic test is now available that can determine the way in which a person's body metabolize medications. 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 expensive and is not widely available. A medical professional is still the most reliable method to diagnose ADHD in an individual.