ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis<br /><br />Adults with ADHD require a thorough assessment by a specialist who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely inquire about your previous experiences and conduct physical examination. They'll also rule out other conditions that could be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disorders, or thyroid problems.<br /><br />The doctor will also ask about your childhood behaviors, since the current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adults with ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could include obtaining school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders, or coaches.<br /><br />Signs and symptoms<br /><br />If you or someone you love is struggling to keep up at school, work or at home, and has difficulty remembering important dates or appointments, or is struggling to stay organized it could be that you suffer from ADHD. A health care professional's assessment can help you determine whether this is the case and if so, what treatment options there are.<br /><br />To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms have to be present for at least 6 months and be apparent in at minimum two different environments (school and at home, for example). The symptoms should also be hindering your ability to function, for example, in class, in developing close relationships or working in a team. It is important to recognize that everyone has difficulty staying focused and organized at times, but these problems are more severe with ADHD.<br /><br />To make an assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. Providers will also review your family history as well as any past medical or psychological tests you've had. They will search for health issues such as thyroid issues and seizure disorders, that could cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.<br /><br />Your doctor will want determine if your symptoms began in your early years (technically prior to age 12). Your provider will also want to know how your symptoms are affecting you right now and in the past. They'll also be interested in knowing if you've ever been diagnosed with ADHD before.<br /><br />It's a good idea to bring a list of symptoms to the appointment, especially if you've written them down. This will help you remember your symptoms and give your doctor a complete picture about how they affect you. You may also bring other records like the performance evaluations you receive from work or old report cards from school. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD is a recent issue or has been present for a long period of time. They can also assist your doctor to determine if you have other issues, such as anxiety or depression that often exhibit the same symptoms as ADHD.<br /><br />History<br /><br />In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a character flaw. With the advancements in diagnosis and treatment the number of children diagnosed with ADHD is increasing and the stigma around the disorder is slowly fading.<br /><br />In 1902, Sir George Frederick Still presented a series of lectures at the Royal College of Physicians. He shared his observations of children who were irritable and unfocused. He also pointed out that these symptoms were more common in boys than in girls, and were not correlated with the home environment or intelligence. Still's report is often credited with the start of formal recognition of ADHD.<br /><br />The first edition of the psychiatric handbook, published in 1952 by the American Psychological Association (APA), did not include ADHD. In 1955, however, the US FDA approved stimulant drugs that was the most popular treatment for ADHD. The APA released its second edition in 1968, which included a variety of mental health issues. It included the symptoms of ADHD however they were still referred to as hyperkinetic reactions of childhood.<br /><br />In 1994, the fourth edition of the psychiatric book was released. This led to a greater understanding and acceptance of ADHD. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment">Recommended Resource site</a> 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 presenting symptoms, not distinct types and states that they may change over the course of a person's life.<br /><br />NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), published guidelines on ADHD in adults in 2008. This was the first time the UK as a whole formally recognized with support from healthcare as well as guidance and funding for adults who had ADHD. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also released advice on ADHD among children. These two documents are the sole official NHS Scotland recommendations regarding the condition. Other guidelines have been created by charities and private organizations. In recent years there has been a rise in interest in the biological cause of ADHD. Researchers have started to find the genes responsible. This knowledge could help in the near future in developing more targeted and effective treatments.<br /><br />Physical Examination<br /><br />A specialist in ADHD conducts a thorough assessment to establish an assessment and diagnose. They collect information from the patient's past as well as their family, education, employment and 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 examine how symptoms have changed over time.<br /><br />The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association defines the criteria 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 administered by the specialist to talk to the patient about their symptoms. They will also use a variety of rating scales which examine various aspects of 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. They also include questions like "Do you often have trouble sitting down?" Do you struggle with organizing your time or activities?<br /><br />They will conduct an examination for physical health. They will determine if there are any medical conditions that might be causing or making the symptoms worse like thyroid dysfunction or vision or hearing issues. They will also ask the person about their diet and lifestyle habits in order to determine if these could be contributing to symptoms.<br /><br /><br /><br />If a person is evaluated for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to complete an assessment with a partner or a close friend. This provides a deeper understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires cannot provide. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression, which often co-occur with ADHD and make the symptoms harder to identify.<br /><br />Psychological Evaluation<br /><br />A health professional who is evaluating a child's ADHD will ask them a series questions about the symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. They also look into a patient's family history and their mental health.<br /><br />They usually ask people to bring in their report cards and school records to review, especially those from kindergarten to high school. They may also ask for copies of any previous neuropsychological or psychological testing, including results from IQ tests and assessments for learning disabilities.<br /><br />A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker typically will conduct the interview portion of an adhd diagnostic assessment. They may also conduct interviews with friends, family members as well as teachers or employers. It is important to get a comprehensive assessment because people with ADHD who aren't treated may face serious issues. These could include financial issues (impulsive purchases) or marital issues, or failure in college or other educational institutions.<br /><br />During an interview, the provider might ask the patient to fill out standardized behavior ratings scales that are designed to identify ADHD symptoms. These tests are based on research that compared the behavior of people with ADHD and those without the disorder. These scores are not a diagnosis of ADHD however they play an important part in the evaluation process.<br /><br />It is also important to evaluate the individual for other conditions that could have similar symptoms to ADHD like sleep disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse and medical illnesses, such as head injuries or thyroid disease. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments. It is therefore important to make a correct diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.<br /><br />To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, a child or an adult must meet a number of requirements of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They must display symptomatic behavior in at least two environments that include school, home, and work. The symptoms must significantly interfere with the functioning of their lives. Generally speaking, the symptoms should have started in the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder isn't caused by another mental illness or comorbid condition.<br /><br />