ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough evaluation from a professional who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and do a physical exam. They'll also rule out conditions which may be similar to ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior because the American Psychiatric Assocation's guidelines state that ADHD in adults can't be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This means getting school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one is struggling to keep up at school, work, or home, has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or can't seem to stay organized or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. An evaluation by an expert in health care will help you determine whether this is the case and, if it is, what treatments are available.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for at least six months and be apparent in at least two different settings (school and at home, for example). The symptoms should also be impacting your ability to perform for instance, in class, in creating close relationships, or working in a group. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying on track and paying attention at times, but these issues are more prevalent in those with ADHD.
To make a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. The doctor will also look over your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you've had. They will look for health issues, like thyroid disorders and seizure disorder, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want know if your symptoms started in your early years (technically, before age 12). Your provider will also want to know how your symptoms are affecting you right now and in the past. They'll also want to know if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to your appointment, particularly when you've written them down. This will help you remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they impact you. You may also bring in older records like old report cards or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD is a new issue or has been present for a long time. These records can help your provider rule other problems out like anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a character flaw or laziness. With advances in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma around this disorder is fading.
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 noted that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls and were not related intelligence or home environments. The report is often credited as the beginning of official recognition of ADHD.
The first version of the psychiatric handbook, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications which were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968, the APA published its second edition which included a variety of mental health issues. The second edition of the APA's manual listed a number of mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
After the publication of the fourth edition of the manual for psychiatric patients in 1994, there was increased 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 views these as presentations, 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) published guidance on ADHD in adults. This was the first time the UK as a whole recognised with healthcare support, funding and guidance adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued a guideline on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations on the condition in Scotland. Private organizations and charities have also produced guidance. In recent times, there has been an increase in interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to discover the genes that cause it. This information could be helpful in the future to create more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose the condition. If they are a doctor who specializes in mental health (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or an individual doctor who is trained in child and young health (a paediatrician), they will want to gather a variety of information about the person's history that includes education, family, and social history. They might review old school records or talk to coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask about the symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also look at how the symptoms have changed with time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, defines 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 utilized by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They may also employ different rating scales to look at different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be based on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults, while others will be based on other criteria, including questions like "Do you find it difficult sitting still?" and "Do you struggle to organize your activities or work?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will look for medical conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms or causing them to become worse, such as thyroid disorder, hearing or vision issues. They will also inquire about the person's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to the symptoms.
If a person is being evaluated for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to complete an assessment with a partner or a close friend. This will help to gain personal insight that questionnaires and checklists unable to provide. This can be particularly useful for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.
Psychological Evaluation
If a health care professional who is evaluating a child or adult for ADHD first interviews them, they ask them a series of questions on how their symptoms affect their daily lives. They also examine the family history of the patient and their mental health.
They usually ask people to bring in their report cards and school records to review, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They may also request copies of prior tests for neuropsychology or psychological which include IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker typically is the person who conducts the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic assessment. Additionally, they may interview relatives, friends and teachers as well. It is important to get an accurate assessment as people who suffer from ADHD who are not treated may face serious issues. These could include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure in colleges or other educational institutions.
During an interview, a doctor may ask the patient complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compares the behaviors of people with ADHD to those of individuals without the disorder. These ratings are not an indication of ADHD but they play an important element in the assessment process.
It is also crucial to check the person for other ailments that may be similar to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance use and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. These conditions are more likely than other conditions to respond to certain treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a proper diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.
A person of any age must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. adhd diagnosis adult uk must display symptoms in at least two environments like home, school, and work. The symptoms should also substantially affect the way they live of their lives. Generally, the symptoms must be present since childhood, and a psychiatric provider must determine that the disorder is not caused by a mental illness or comorbidity.