• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.

The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They might want to look at old report cards and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about childhood behavior.

Signs and symptoms

Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. The symptoms also may interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.

A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and performing physical exam. You may also provide the history of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, at home, and at school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.

If you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult Adhd Diagnosis uk-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are their age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things, and interrupting others.

There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in at least two environments, cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months.

If your child does not meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them an unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.

A complete psychiatric examination could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and family. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is a patient interview.

During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician will also request details from someone who knows the patient well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The physician will then write a report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient.

It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. This means that symptoms must be significant in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of adhd uk diagnosis.

During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.

Prevention

People with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated.

The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition is based on the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.

While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.

A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health care professional. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed scales of rating that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.

A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.

Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should.

Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.