ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
For adults who are diagnosed with the disorder, identifying ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a specialist who is trained in the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your history and conduct physical examination. They will also rule out any conditions that may be similar to ADHD like mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid conditions.
The doctor will also ask about your childhood habits, since the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of signs from childhood. This could include finding your school records and contacting previous teachers or coaches as well as religious leaders.
Signs and symptoms
If you or a loved one struggles to keep up at school, work or at home, and has difficulties remembering important dates and appointments, or is struggling to stay organized it could be that you suffer from ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is the case, and, if it is, what treatment options there are.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for at least six months and be noticeable in at least two different settings (school and home, for instance). The symptoms must also be affecting your ability to function for example, in class, in developing close relationships or working as part of a team. It is important to recognize that everyone has trouble staying on track 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 doctor will also examine your family history and any previous medical or psychological tests you've taken. They will look for health problems, such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders, that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Your provider will want to determine if your symptoms began in childhood (technically, before age 12). Your provider will also want to know what your symptoms are doing to you now and in the past. They'll want to know whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD in the past.
It's a good idea to bring your own list of symptoms to the appointment, particularly if you've written them down. This will allow you to remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they affect you. You can also bring documents like performance evaluations from your job or old report cards from school. These documents can help your doctor determine if ADHD is a recent problem or has been present for a long time. These documents can help your doctor determine if there are other issues like anxiety and depression that share similar symptoms as ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD was thought to be a flaw in character or a sign of laziness. With advances in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma surrounding the disorder is slowly fading.
Sir George Frederick Still gave a series of lectures in 1902 at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were inattentive or incapable of concentrating. He also noted that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and that they were not related to the home environment or intelligence. Still's report has been credited as the first step towards formal recognition of ADHD.
The first edition of APA's psychotherapy guideline, published in 1952, did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. In 1968 the APA released its second edition which listed a number of mental health disorders. It also included symptoms of ADHD, although they were still classified as hyperkinetic reaction in childhood.
In 1994, the fourth edition of 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 recognizes these as manifestations rather than distinct types and states that they can change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. It was the first time that the UK as a whole recognized adults suffering from ADHD by providing them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines regarding the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been developed by private organisations and charities. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the biological causes of ADHD. Researchers have begun to discover the genes responsible. This knowledge will help in the future to develop more targeted and better treatments.
Physical Examination
A specialist in ADHD conducts a thorough evaluation to make the diagnosis. They collect data about the person's past, including their family, educational and employment history, as well as their social history. They will go through old school records and interview coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms, and how they affect daily life. They will also consider how the symptoms have changed with time.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, defines the criteria used to diagnose 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 customized questionnaire to the particular situation will be used by the specialist to interview the patient about their symptoms. They will also use different scales of assessment which examine various aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings are based on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale for adults, whereas others are based on a range of other criteria. They also include questions such as "Do you often have trouble sitting still?" Do you struggle to organize your activities or work?
They will conduct a physical exam. They will look to determine if there are any medical conditions that might be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction, vision or hearing problems. They will also inquire with the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if they could contribute to symptoms.
Anyone who is being evaluated for ADHD as an adult may be asked to fill out an assessment together with their partner or a close friend. This will help to gain personal insights that questionnaires and checklists are unable to provide. This is particularly beneficial for those with multiple disorders like depression or anxiety. They often co-occur with ADHD, making it difficult to recognize the signs.
Psychological Evaluation
A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series of questions about the symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. They also look over a patient's mental health and family history.
They may ask for copies of the student's report cards or school records, especially 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 learning disabilities assessments.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker usually is the person who conducts the interview part of an adhd diagnostic evaluation. They may also interview relatives, friends, teachers, or employers. 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 at college or other educational institutions.
During the interview, a doctor will usually request that the patient complete the standard behavior rating scales developed to identify ADHD symptoms. adhd adult diagnosis uk are based on research that compares behaviors of people with ADHD and those who do not suffer from the disorder. These ratings do not constitute a diagnosis of ADHD however they are an important aspect of the assessment process.
It is also important to examine the patient for any other medical conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use disorders and medical illnesses, such as thyroid disease or head 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.
To be considered to have ADHD, a child or an adult must meet several requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must exhibit symptomatic behaviors in at least two environments, such as home, school, and work. The symptoms must also significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. The symptoms must first be noticed in childhood, and a psychiatric professional must confirm that the disorder was not caused by mental illness or other co-occurring conditions.