ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis Adults with ADHD require a thorough evaluation by a doctor who is knowledgeable about the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and conduct physical examination. They will also look for conditions that could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders or thyroid issues. The doctor will also ask about your childhood behaviors, since current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This means obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches. Symptoms You could be suffering from ADHD If you or someone you love is having trouble keeping up at work, school or at home. If they are unable to remember important dates or appointments or aren't able to stay organized, then you might be suffering from ADHD. A health care professional's assessment can help you determine whether this is the case, and, if it is what your treatment options are. The symptoms have to be present in at least two settings (school and at home, for instance) and for at least six months to satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. They should also significantly interfere with your ability to function in certain ways, such as performing well in school, developing close bonds, or working on teams. It's crucial to understand that everyone has difficulty staying focused and organized at times, but these problems are more severe in the case of ADHD. To make a diagnosis, your provider will interview you and ask you questions about your behavior and how it's affected your life. Your doctor will also go over your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will look for health issues such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorder, which can cause similar symptoms as ADHD. Your provider will want to know if your symptoms started in your childhood (technically prior to age 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 want to know if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before. Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they're written down. This will help you to keep track of your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they affect you. You can also bring old records such as old reports or performance evaluations. Having these records can help your provider determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your entire life or began recently. These documents can help your doctor rule other problems out, such as anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms to ADHD. History In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or laziness. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatments, more children are being diagnosed and the stigma associated with 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 unable to focus. He also noted that the symptoms were more common in boys than girls and were not related to the quality of education or home environments. Still's report has been considered to be the beginning of official recognition of ADHD. The first version of the psychiatric manual, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications that were prescribed as the primary treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA published its second edition that listed a number of mental health conditions. The second edition of the manual included a variety of mental health issues, including ADHD symptoms. In 1994 the fourth edition of the psychiatric book was released. This led to 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 to be manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they are able to change throughout a person's lifetime. NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized with support from healthcare, funding and guidance adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidance on ADHD in children. These two documents are the sole official NHS recommendations regarding the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to identify the genes responsible for it. This knowledge could help in the future to develop more specific and effective treatments. Physical Examination A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to identify the problem. They collect data from the past of the patient, including their family, educational and employment history, as well as their social history. They may review the old school records, or speak with teachers, coaches, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms, and how they affect daily 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 criteria 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. A questionnaire tailored to the particular situation will be administered by the doctor to ask the patient about their symptoms. They also employ various ratings scales to assess different aspects ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are built on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for Adults, while others are based on a range of other criteria and include questions such as "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" and "Do you struggle to manage your activities or work?" They will perform an examination of the body. They will check to see if there are any medical problems that could be causing or making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing issues. They will also ask about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they could be contributing to the symptoms. If a person is assessed for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to complete an assessment with a partner or a trusted friend. This will help to gain personal insight that questionnaires and checklists unable to provide. This can be particularly useful for people with comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety which are often associated with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to recognize. Psychological Evaluation When 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 the symptoms affect their daily lives. They also take a look at a patient's family history and their mental health. They typically ask people to bring in their report cards and school records to review, particularly those from kindergarten to high school. They can request copies of any previous psychological or neuropsychological tests, including IQ tests and results from learning disabilities assessments. Typically, a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker is the person who conducts the interview part of an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. In addition, they might interview friends, family members and teachers as well. It is essential to obtain an accurate assessment as people who suffer from ADHD who are not treated can have serious problems. These include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure at colleges or other educational institutions. During the interview, a doctor will usually ask the patient to complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires are based on research that compared the behavior of those with ADHD and those without the disorder. adhd diagnosed do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important part of the evaluation process. It is also crucial to evaluate the individual for any other medical conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical conditions, like thyroid disease or head injuries. Those conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is important to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and that the appropriate treatment is provided. To be considered to have ADHD, the child or adult must meet several requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptoms in two or more settings like school, home and work, and the symptoms must significantly interfere with their everyday functioning. The symptoms must have appeared in the early years of childhood. A psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by mental illness or other comorbid conditions.
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