ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a specialist who is trained in the disorder. They'll likely ask you about your past and perform a physical examination. They'll also rule out conditions that could be a cause of ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid problems.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood behaviors, since the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could include finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Symptoms
If you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at school, work or at home, and has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is struggling to organize it could be that you suffer from ADHD. A visit to a health care provider can help you determine whether this is the case, and If it is, what treatments are available.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis The symptoms have to be present for at least 6 months and be noticeable in at minimum two different environments (school and at home, for example). They should also seriously interfere with your ability to function in some ways, such as doing well in class, developing close relationships, or functioning as a member of a team. It's crucial to understand that everyone has trouble staying organized and paying attention at times, but these issues are more severe with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has affected your life. The doctors will also look at your family history, as well as any previous medical or psychological tests you've taken. They will look for health issues such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders, which can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire if you have ever had symptoms in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). They'll also be interested in how your symptoms affect you now and how they have affected you in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly when they are written down. This will aid in remembering them and give your physician a a complete picture of the way your symptoms affect you. You may also bring in old records, such as old reports or performance evaluations. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk can help your doctor determine if ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long period of time. These records can help your provider rule other problems out like depression and anxiety that have similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in character. But, with advancements in diagnosis and treatments increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed and the stigma associated with the disorder is fading away.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations regarding children who were unfocused or who were unable to focus. He also observed that these symptoms were more common in boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environment. Still's report has been considered to be the first step towards formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, released in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant drugs which were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition, which included a list of mental health issues. The second edition of the manual listed several mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual on psychiatry in 1994, there was a greater understanding and acceptance 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 as presenting symptoms, not distinct types, and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time the UK as a whole formally recognised with healthcare support as well as guidance and funding for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued a guideline on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been a rise in interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have started to discover the genes responsible. This knowledge may help to create better, more targeted treatments in the near future.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the problem. If they are a doctor who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor educated in the field of child and youth health (a paediatrician) They will need to gather details about the person's past including family, educational, work and social history. They will review old school records and may interview teachers, coaches and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also consider how symptoms have changed over time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults and children. 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 specialist will usually interview the person regarding their symptoms by using a questionnaire that is tailored to the particular situation. They may also employ a variety of rating scales that examine different aspects of ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a variety of other criteria. They also include questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sitting still?" and "Do you have difficulty to organize your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine whether there are any medical conditions which could be responsible for aggravating the symptoms for example, thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing issues. They will also ask the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these could be contributing to symptoms.
A person who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult will likely be asked to complete the questionnaire with their partner or another close friend. This will allow for a greater understanding of the person that checklists and questionnaires do not provide. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms more difficult to spot.
Psychological Evaluation
When a health care professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD begins by interviewing them, they ask a series of questions regarding how the symptoms impact their lives. They also go over a patient's mental health and family history.
They can request copies of the student's reports or school records, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They may request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological tests which include IQ tests and results from assessments of learning disabilities.
Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview part of an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. They might also interview friends, family members as well as teachers or employers. It is important to have a comprehensive evaluation because people who suffer from untreated ADHD can experience serious problems, including financial issues (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failure at colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor may ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behaviors of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings are not an indication of ADHD however they play an important element in the evaluation process.
It is important to also assess the individual to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders, and addiction to drugs, and also medical ailments such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, so it is important to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and that the correct treatment is given.
A person of any age must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must show symptoms in two or more environments, like home, school or at work, and their symptoms must be affecting their everyday functioning. Typically, the symptoms must be present since childhood, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbidity.