ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a professional who specializes in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your previous experiences and conduct a physical examination. They will also rule out any conditions that could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will inquire about your childhood behavior, since the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines stipulate that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed unless there is evidence of childhood symptoms. This includes finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Symptoms
If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at school, work, or home, has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is unable to organize or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. A health care professional's assessment can help you determine whether this is the case, and if so, what treatment options there are.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and be apparent in at least two different settings (school and at home, as an instance). They should also significantly interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, like doing well in classes, forming close bonds, or working as a member of a team. It's important to understand that everyone has problems staying focused and organized sometimes, but these problems are more serious with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your behavior, and how it has affected your life. The doctor will also examine your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will look for health issues like thyroid issues and seizure disorders that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want to be aware of whether your symptoms began in your early years (technically prior to age 12). Your doctor will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms affect you right now and in the past. They'll also be looking to find out whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring your own list of symptoms to the appointment, particularly when you've written them down. This will help you to remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they affect you. You may also bring in older records like old report cards or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long time. They can also help your provider determine if you have other issues, such as anxiety or depression, which often have the same symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or lazyness. However, with advances in diagnosis and treatments more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma surrounding the disorder is fading away.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He outlined his observations of children who were inattentive and incapable of focusing. He also noted that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls, and that they were not related to intelligence or home environments. Still's report is often associated with the start of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric manual, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications that were the main treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA released its second edition, which included a list of mental health disorders. The second edition of the APA's manual listed a number of mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994, the fourth edition of psychiatric book was published. This led to 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 presentations, rather than distinct types and states that they can change throughout the course of a person's lifetime.
In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized adults with ADHD by providing them with funding, healthcare assistance and guidance. SIGN (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. 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 identify the genes that cause ADHD. This knowledge could help in the near future in developing more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose the condition. If they are a doctor who is specialized in mental health (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or a doctor who is also trained in child and young health (a paediatrician), they will want to gather information about the person's history that includes the family, educational, work and social history. They might look over the old school records, or speak with teachers, coaches, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they affect life. They will also look at how symptoms have changed with 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. A customized questionnaire to the situation will be administered by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They may also employ different scales of assessment that look at different aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are basing on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a variety of other criteria. They include questions like "Do you often have trouble sitting down?" and "Do you struggle to manage your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical exam. getting diagnosed with adhd will determine if there are any medical conditions that could be creating the symptoms or causing them to get worse, such as thyroid problem, hearing or vision problems. They will also ask about the person's dietary and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is evaluated for ADHD at the age of adulthood, they will be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or a close friend. This helps to uncover the personal insights that questionnaires and checklists are unable to provide. This is especially beneficial for those with co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety. They often co-occur with ADHD, making it difficult to identify the symptoms.
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 affect their lives. They also take a look at the family history of the patient and mental health.
They often ask the person to bring in their report cards and school records to review, especially those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, including results from IQ tests and learning disabilities assessments.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker typically will conduct the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. Additionally, they may interview relatives, friends and teachers as well. It is crucial to conduct an extensive evaluation as people who suffer from untreated ADHD can experience serious problems, including financial issues (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During the interview, the doctor will usually ask the patient to fill out the standard behavior rating scales developed to help identify ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compared the behavior of those with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These scores are not an indication of ADHD however they play an important part in the assessment process.
It is crucial to evaluate the individual to determine if there are other conditions that could have similar symptoms as ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders, and addiction to drugs, as well as medical illnesses such as thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to certain treatments. It is therefore crucial to make a correct diagnosis and be treated accordingly.
A child or adult must meet the requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two environments like home, school, and work. The symptoms must also severely hinder the normal functioning of their lives. Typically, the symptoms must be present since the early years of childhood. A psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder is not caused by another mental illness or comorbidity.