ADHD Assessment - What Happens When a Doctor Diagnoses ADHD?
To determine an ADHD diagnosis, doctors will review your symptoms to determine whether they fit the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). The majority of professionals also conduct an interview for clinical purposes using one or more standardized ADHD rating scales.
It is recommended to find an expert who is specialized in diagnosing ADHD and is covered by your insurance plan. Contact a local support group for a list of experts.
Symptoms
If your pediatrician tests you for ADHD the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and the history. They might also conduct a physical exam to determine the basis of your disorder. This could be due to a hearing loss, vision problem, or illness.
The most prominent symptom of ADHD is the difficulty in staying focused or paying attention. This often results in careless mistakes or failing to complete work (e.g., schoolwork or chores). Children and teens with ADHD frequently have trouble listening to others and can be distracted or daydreaming. In adults who suffer from ADHD problems, these can cause problems at work or home and in relationships.
Another ADHD sign is the inability to sit or be quiet for long periods of time. Some people who suffer from ADHD are prone to squirm, fidget or pace while waiting for others or in a meeting. They also may talk too much or interrupt others often.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5TR(tm), is used by doctors to establish their diagnoses. They assess whether a person has at least six traits of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity to determine what type of ADHD they have.
Your pediatrician will review your behavior in various settings, such as at school or other social situations. They will ask you, your family members as well as teachers and other caregivers to explain your behavior. He or she may also use the standard ADHD scales for assessing symptoms and checklists.
Your child might also undergo a physical exam or take blood tests to rule out other medical issues, like a hearing loss, vision loss, or thyroid disease which can trigger similar symptoms. A mental health professional will also assess your child's ability to concentrate, follow instructions and complete tasks.
Neuropsychological tests are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful in certain circumstances. It involves measuring brain activity, like beta waves, with an EEG or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Some studies suggest that individuals suffering from ADHD have less beta wave activity in the frontal lobes of their brains. They also suggest that they produce too many theta waves.
Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose ADHD by examining a patient's symptoms, family history and the results of different screening and assessment tools. There are several tools that can be used to determine the presence of ADHD, including rating scales and continuous performance tests. It is crucial to know the sensitivity and specificity of each instrument to determine the probability that the test will accurately determine those suffering from the disorder in comparison to those who do not.
Interviewing the patient is the first step to assessing ADHD. This is a session lasting about an hour with a clinician, during which the patient will be asked about his or her symptoms and previous experiences. A specialist might also ask the assistance of teachers and other caregivers in gathering information, particularly when diagnosing children. The specialist will look over the child's medical and school records, and ask them to fill out questionnaires that teachers and parents have completed.
For adults who are being evaluated for ADHD The doctor may also request previous school records to see if the person's symptoms began in the early years of childhood. The doctor may also speak to the spouse, siblings, and other close friends of the individual about their experiences. A specialist may also interview those who are familiar with the person, such as former teachers or religious leaders.
For sites or teenager to be diagnosed with ADHD the individual must exhibit a variety of symptoms in multiple situations, such as at home, work and school. These symptoms must interfere with the person's functioning and not be better explained by another disorder. For adolescents, the symptoms must be present since childhood and be consistent throughout the years. For adults, he or she must show at least five ongoing symptoms and experienced them for at least six months. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) provides criteria for determining the severity of the disorder.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for your child or adult who is diagnosed with ADHD. These may include medication, behavioral therapy or an amalgamation of both. Your doctor and you will determine the most appropriate treatment for your child based on their symptoms and the length of time they've been experiencing them for. Your doctor will also rule other things out that could be causing the symptoms, for instance a mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression or medical issues such as thyroid disorders.
If you or your child are struggling in school, it's important to speak to your teacher about the issue. Teachers often notice ADHD symptoms in children, and they can help determine if the issues are caused by ADHD or another reason.
Your assessment will likely consist of an interview with a psychologist, taking ADHD symptom checklists and other questionnaires including psychological tests, medical history and information about family members and friends. It is essential to be as specific as you can about the difficulties that you or your child is experiencing. This will enable your physician to comprehend the complexity of your situation and provide an accurate diagnosis.
Adults and older teens will undergo a similar process of assessment, but their symptoms will be evaluated differently because they are usually associated with their work or other activities. In addition to a thorough description of the difficulties, your psychologist or psychiatrist will want to know how these problems affect your life. Do the issues affect your social or professional relationships, for example? If so what is the extent? Your doctor will use this information to determine whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe.
Psychosocial treatments are more effective than prescription medications for adults with ADHD. These treatments can teach your family and you better ways to cope. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn how to reframe your negative thoughts and manage your emotions. Therapy for families and groups can help you master new skills and strategies that can improve your relationship with your spouse or partner. For adolescents and younger children it is recommended to conduct a behavior study prior to attempting any medication. This includes parent education on behavior management for children younger than 6 years old and other types training and behavior therapy for teens and adults.
Follow-up
Like any diagnostic procedure, the results of an adhd test must always be evaluated by an experienced physician. This ensures that the individual receives the correct treatment for their condition. This also reduces the chance of false positive results when the test results indicate that a person has ADHD even though they don't. This can happen if the test used to evaluate isn't valid or if the examiner lacks the experience to interpret the results accurately.
The clinician will consider the beginning and duration of the symptoms, and how they compare with an estimate of mental age (i.e. is the patient's behaviour disproportionately "below" or above" their age). They will also look at the onset and persistency of the symptoms as well as compare them to a mental age estimation (i.e. is the patient's behavior in a way "below" or "above" for their age).
In addition to clinical interviews and observations, neuropsychological tests can be useful in assessing ADHD symptoms. Certain tests have been specially designed to test the main symptoms of ADHD including hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. Two of these tests are the Quantified Behavior test for children (6-12 year olds) and Qb+(c), for adults (12 years or more). These tests utilize motion tracking systems that measure head movements and produce measures of activity (i.e., the time spent moving more than 1 cm/s) as well as distance and the surface covered by movement as also microevents (i.e., small movements above 1 mm). They also calculate estimates of omission and commission errors, two components of ADHD executive functioning problems.
It is crucial that the physician conducts a thorough examination. They will inquire about the person’s health and development history, including childhood as well as their work and school histories as well as family life and drinking and drug use, to identify any factors that could be contributing to the symptoms. They will then use a combination of the SWAN, patient or parent ratings, and objective cognitive testing to establish their diagnosis.