Are ADHD Diagnostic As Important As Everyone Says?
ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis
Adults suffering from ADHD require a thorough evaluation by a doctor who is familiar with the disorder. They will likely ask you about your past and perform an examination of your body. They'll also rule out other conditions that could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid issues.
The doctor will ask you about your childhood behavior as the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines state that ADHD in adults cannot be diagnosed without evidence of childhood symptoms. This includes finding school records and getting in touch with former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you love struggles to keep up at work, school or at home, is having trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or can't seem to stay organized or stay on top of things, you could be suffering from ADHD. A health professional's assessment can help you determine if this is the case and, if it is what your treatment options are.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two different environments (school and at home, for example) and for at least six months to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. They should also seriously interfere in your ability to function in some ways, such as performing well in school, developing close bonds, or working in teams. It's important to realize that everyone has difficulty staying on track and paying attention at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask questions about your behavior, and how it has impacted your life. The doctor will also look over your family history as well as any previous medical or psychological tests you've had. They will search for health issues like thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that could cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
Your doctor will want be aware of whether your symptoms began in your childhood (technically, before age 12). They'll also want to know how your symptoms impact you today and how they have affected you in the past. They'll also be looking to find out if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.
Bring your own list of symptoms, particularly if they are written down. This will help you recall your symptoms and provide your doctor a complete picture about how they impact you. You may also bring other records like performance evaluations from your job or old school report cards. Having these records can help your provider determine if ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your whole life or only started in recent times. These records can help your doctor determine if there are other issues, such as depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.
History
In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in the character of a person. However, with the advancement of diagnosis and treatment, more children are being diagnosed, and the stigma around this disorder is dissolving.
In 1902 Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He described his observations of children who were irritable and incapable of focusing. He also pointed out that the symptoms were more prevalent for boys than girls and were not related the home environment or intelligence. Still's report has been credited as the beginning of the formal recognition of ADHD.
The initial version of the psychiatric manual, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA) did not contain ADHD. However, in 1955, 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. The second edition of the APA's manual included a variety of mental health conditions, including ADHD symptoms.
In 1994 the fourth edition of psychiatric book was released. 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 recognizes these as presentations rather than distinct types and says that they may change over the course of a person's life.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) released guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time the UK as a whole recognised with healthcare support as well as guidance and funding for adults with ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued advice on ADHD among children. These two documents are the only official NHS guidelines on the condition in Scotland. Other guidance has been produced by charities and private organizations. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to discover the genes responsible. This knowledge may help to develop better, more targeted treatments in the future.
Physical Exam
A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the severity of the condition. They collect information 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 coaches, teachers and other professionals who know the person. They will inquire about the symptoms and how they interfere with life. They will also examine how the 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. The doctor will usually talk to the person regarding their symptoms using an assessment that is adapted to the specific circumstance. They will also use different rating scales to look at various 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 and include questions such as "Do you find it difficult to sitting down?" and "Do you have difficulty to manage your work or activities?"
They will conduct a physical exam. They will determine whether there are any medical problems that might be causing or aggravating the symptoms like thyroid dysfunction or vision and hearing issues. They will also inquire with the patient about their diet and lifestyle habits to determine if these may be contributing to symptoms.
If a person is being assessed for ADHD at the age of adulthood and is being evaluated for ADHD, they will be asked to complete an assessment with a partner or a trusted friend. This helps to uncover personal insight that questionnaires and checklists are unable to provide. This is particularly beneficial 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 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. adhd in adults diagnosis examine a patient's family history and mental health.
They typically ask the person to bring in report cards and school records to review, particularly those from kindergarten through high school. They may also request copies of prior tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological such as 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 and teachers as well as employers. It is important to have thorough evaluations because those who are not treated for ADHD are susceptible to serious issues that include financial issues (impulsive spending) or marital issues, as well as failing in college or other educational institutions.
During an interview, the doctor may ask the patient complete standardized behavior rating scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compares the behavior of individuals with ADHD with those of those without the disorder. These ratings do not constitute an official diagnosis of ADHD but are an important element of the evaluation process.
It is also essential to examine the patient for other conditions that could exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD like mood disorders, sleep disorders, substance use and medical illnesses, such as head injuries or thyroid disease. Those conditions are more likely to respond to certain treatments, therefore it is important to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and that the appropriate treatment is provided.
A person who is a child or an 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 settings that include school, home, or work. The symptoms should also significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. Typically, the symptoms must be present since the early years of life, and a psychiatrist must confirm that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbid condition.