ADHD Diagnosis - How an Expert Makes a Diagnosis<br /><br />Adults suffering from ADHD need a thorough evaluation by a specialist who is familiar with the disorder. They'll likely ask questions about your history and do an examination of your body. They'll also rule out other conditions that could be a cause of ADHD, such as learning disorders, mood disorders, or thyroid problems.<br /><br />The doctor will also inquire about your childhood behaviors as current American Psychiatric Association guidelines state that adult ADHD cannot be diagnosed without evidence of symptoms from childhood. This could include getting school records and contacting former teachers, religious leaders or coaches.<br /><br />Symptoms<br /><br />If you or a loved one struggles to keep up with school, work or at home, is having trouble remembering important dates or appointments, or can't seem to organize, you may have ADHD. A visit to your health professional will help you determine if this is the case, and If it is, what treatments are available.<br /><br />To meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and be noticeable in at least two different settings (school and at home, for instance). The symptoms must also be hindering your ability to function for instance in class, forming close relationships or in working in a group. It's important to realize that everyone struggles to stay organized and paying attention at times, but these issues are more severe in the case of ADHD.<br /><br />In order to make a diagnosis, your physician will conduct an interview and ask you questions about your behavior and how it has affected your life. The providers will also look at your family history and any previous psychological or medical tests you've taken. They will check for health issues like thyroid disorders and seizures, which can cause similar symptoms to ADHD.<br /><br />Your provider will want to determine if your symptoms began in your childhood (technically prior to age 12). Your doctor will also be interested in knowing how your symptoms are affecting you now and in the past. They'll also be looking to find out whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD before.<br /><br />Bring your own list of symptoms, especially if they're written down. This will help you remember the symptoms and provide your doctor with a a complete picture of how your symptoms impact you. You may also bring in old records, such as old report cards or performance evaluations. These documents can help your doctor determine whether ADHD has been a problem for you throughout your whole life or only started just recently. These documents can help your doctor determine if there are other issues including depression and anxiety, which have similar symptoms to ADHD.<br /><br /><br /><br />History<br /><br />In the past, ADHD has been viewed as a flaw in the character of a person. With the advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more children are diagnosed 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. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment">adhd diagnostic Iampsychiatry</a> described his observations of children who were irritable and unfocused. He also pointed out that these signs were more common for boys than girls and were not related to intelligence or home environment. Still's report is often associated with the first the formal recognition of ADHD.<br /><br />The first version of the APA's psychiatric guide, published in 1952, didn't include ADHD. In 1955, however the US FDA approved stimulant medications which were used as the primary treatment for ADHD. The APA published its second edition in 1968. It listed a number of mental health conditions. It included symptoms of ADHD, although they were still classified as hyperkinetic reactions of childhood.<br /><br />In 1994 the fourth edition of psychiatric book was published. 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 different types of presentations and states that they can change over time.<br /><br />In 2008, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued guidelines on ADHD in adults. This was the first time that the UK as a whole officially recognized adults with ADHD by providing them with funding, healthcare support and guidance. SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) has also issued guidelines on ADHD in children. These two documents are the only official NHS Scotland guidelines on the condition. Private and non-profit organizations have also issued guidance. In recent years there has been a rising interest in the biological causes of ADHD and researchers have begun to discover the genes that cause it. This information could be helpful in the near future in developing more specific and effective treatments.<br /><br />Physical Exam<br /><br />A specialist in ADHD will conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose the condition. It doesn't matter if they are a physician who specializes in mental health (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or a doctor trained in child and youth health (a paediatrician) They will need to gather a variety of information about the person's history including family, educational, work and social history. They might review old school records or talk to coaches, teachers, and other professionals that know the person. They will ask questions about symptoms and how they impact life. They will also examine how the symptoms have changed over time.<br /><br />The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, outlines the criteria for determining ADHD in both 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 specialist will typically interview the patient about their symptoms using an assessment that is adapted to the particular situation. They will also use a variety of rating scales that examine different aspects of the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ratings will be based on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale For Adults while others will be based on different criteria, including questions like "Do you find it difficult sitting still?" and "Do you have difficulty to organize your work or activities?"<br /><br />They will conduct a physical exam. They will check for any medical conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms or making them worse, such a thyroid disorder, hearing or vision issues. They will also ask about the individual's diet and lifestyle habits to determine if they may be contributing to the symptoms.<br /><br />If a person is evaluated for ADHD in adulthood the person will be asked to fill out the questionnaire with their partner or a close friend. This allows for a deeper understanding of the person than checklists and questionnaires can't provide. This is especially useful for people who have comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety. They often co-occur with ADHD, making it difficult to identify the symptoms.<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 affect their daily life. They also examine a patient's family history and their mental health.<br /><br />They typically ask people to bring in their report cards and school records to review, specifically those from kindergarten to high school. They can also request copies of previous tests, such as neuropsychological or psychological such as IQ tests and results from assessments for learning disabilities.<br /><br />Typically an audiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will conduct the interview portion in an assessment of the diagnosis of adhd. In addition, they could interview friends, family members and teachers, as well. It is essential to have an extensive evaluation as people who are not treated for ADHD can experience serious problems that include financial issues (impulsive spending) and marital problems, as well as failure at colleges or other educational institutions.<br /><br />During an interview, a doctor may ask the patient complete standardized behavioral ratings scales that are designed to detect ADHD symptoms. These questionnaires 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 however they play an important aspect of the process of evaluating.<br /><br />It is also important to assess the individual to determine if they have other conditions that might exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. These include sleep disorders, mood disorders, and addiction to drugs, as well as medical illnesses like thyroid disease or brain injuries. These conditions are more likely to respond to specific treatments, therefore it is important to make sure that a valid diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is provided.<br /><br />A person who is a child or an adult must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD. They must show symptoms in two or more settings, like home, school and at work, and the symptoms must significantly interfere with their everyday functioning. Generally, the symptoms must be present since the early years of childhood. A psychiatrist must be able to determine that the disorder isn't caused by a mental illness or comorbid condition.<br /><br />