How do they diagnose ADHD?

Answer 1

You find a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, pediatrician (for children) or licensed clinical social worker who understands ADHD and has experience in diagnosing it.

Unfortunately since many medical schools haven't adequately taught their students about how to diagnose and treat ADHD (as several medical professionals have told me), you can't assume every medical professional knows enough about ADHD to give you or your child (ADHD is 80% genetic) a proper diagnosis. Often is can be very difficult to find someone who knows enough about ADHD to accurately diagnose it.

Most of the medical professionals that do know ADHD have usually gone out of their way in investing in time and money to learn about ADHD to their credit and hopefully our gratitude.

You might want to attend a local ADD Support group to get a list of people known to diagnose ADHD in your area.

Make sure you ask them what training they have on ADHD. Maybe ask them which ADHD books they've read and how many people they've diagnosed with ADHD. If you're an Adult with ADHD you should ask them how many adults they've diagnosed with ADHD. Many just diagnose children with ADHD.

Finding someone who can diagnose ADHD.

You can search for directories or ask at your local ADHD support group.

Directories

ADDA has a list of ADD Professionals
http://add.org/DirectoryHome.aspx

so does ADD Resources
http://www.addresources.org/adhd_directory.php

and ADD Consults
http://addconsults.com/directory/index.php3

ADHD Support Groups Listings

You can also try searching the web to find a local ADHD support group in your area. Or if that doesn't work (many don't have websites) here's a list of places you can look to find ADD support groups in your area.

Canadian ADHD Support Groups Listings
http://www.addcoach4u.com/canadianadhdsupportgroups.html

US ADHD Support Groups Listings
http://www.addcoach4u.com/support/usadhdsupportgroups.html

International ADHD Support Groups Listings
http://www.addcoach4u.com/internationaladhdsupportgr.html

Answer 2

You find a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, pediatrician (for children) or licensed clinical social worker who understands ADHD and has experience in diagnosing it.

Unfortunately since many medical schools haven't adequately taught their students about how to diagnose and treat ADHD (as several medical professionals have told me), you can't assume every medical professional knows enough about ADHD to give you or your child (ADHD is 80% genetic) a proper diagnosis. Often is can be very difficult to find someone who knows enough about ADHD to accurately diagnose it.

Most of the medical professionals that do know ADHD have usually gone out of their way in investing in time and money to learn about ADHD to their credit and hopefully our gratitude.

You might want to attend a local ADD Support group to get a list of people known to diagnose ADHD in your area.

Make sure you ask them what training they have on ADHD. Maybe ask them which ADHD books they've read and how many people they've diagnosed with ADHD. If you're an Adult with ADHD you should ask them how many adults they've diagnosed with ADHD. Many just diagnose children with ADHD.

Finding someone who can diagnose ADHD.

You can search for directories or ask at your local ADHD support group.

Directories

ADDA has a list of ADD Professionals
http://add.org/DirectoryHome.aspx

so does ADD Resources
http://www.addresources.org/adhd_directory.php

and ADD Consults
http://addconsults.com/directory/index.php3

ADHD Support Groups Listings

You can also try searching the web to find a local ADHD support group in your area. Or if that doesn't work (many don't have websites) here's a list of places you can look to find ADD support groups in your area.

Canadian ADHD Support Groups Listings
http://www.addcoach4u.com/canadianadhdsupportgroups.html

US ADHD Support Groups Listings
http://www.addcoach4u.com/support/usadhdsupportgroups.html

International ADHD Support Groups Listings
http://www.addcoach4u.com/internationaladhdsupportgr.html

Answer 3

ADHD is diagnosed using a series of tests, a attention span test, a still test, and a hyperactive test*. (* Doctors give the person caffeine to see the reaction.)

how is adhd assessed

Their is another type of attention deficit disorder. It is called attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity.

Answer 4

According to Wikipedia:

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No objective test exists to make a diagnosis of ADHD. It thus remains a clinical diagnosis.[50] In North America, the DSM-IV criteria are often the basis for a diagnosis while European countries usually use the ICD-10.[51] Many of the symptoms of ADHD occur from time to time in everyone; in patients with ADHD, the frequency of these symptoms is greater and significantly impairs their life. This impairment must occur in multiple settings to be classified as ADHD. As with many other psychiatric and medical disorders, the formal diagnosis is made by a qualified professional in the field based on a set number of criteria. In the USA these criteria are laid down by the American Psychiatric Association in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), 4th edition. Based on the DSM-IV criteria listed below, three types of ADHD are classified: # ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months # ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months # ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months. The terminology of ADD expired with the revision of the most current version of the DSM. Consequently, ADHD is the current nomenclature used to describe the disorder as one distinct disorder which can manifest itself as being a primary deficit resulting in hyperactivity/impulsivity (ADHD, predominately hyperactive-impulsive type) or inattention (ADHD predominately inattentive type) or both (ADHD combined type). I. Either A or B: : A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level: : :# Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities. :# Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities. :# Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. :# Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions). :# Often has trouble organizing activities. :# Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework). :# Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools). :# Is often easily distracted. :# Often forgetful in daily activities. : B. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level: : :* Hyperactivity: :# Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat. :# Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected. :# Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless). :# Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly. :# Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor". :# Often talks excessively. : :* Impulsiveness: :# Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished. :# Often has trouble waiting one's turn. :# Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games). II. Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years. III. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home). IV. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning. V. The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder). In the tenth edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) the symptoms of ADHD are given the name "Hyperkinetic disorders". When a conduct disorder (as defined by ICD-10[52]) is present, the condition is referred to as "Hyperkinetic conduct disorder". Otherwise the disorder is classified as "Disturbance of Activity and Attention", "Other Hyperkinetic Disorders" or "Hyperkinetic Disorders, Unspecified". The latter is sometimes referred to as, "Hyperkinetic Syndrome".[52] The American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for children with ADHD emphasizes that a reliable diagnosis is dependent upon the fulfillment of three criteria:[53] * The use of explicit criteria for the diagnosis using the DSM-IV-TR. * The importance of obtaining information about the child's symptoms in more than one setting. * The search for coexisting conditions that may make the diagnosis more difficult or complicate treatment planning. All three criteria are determined using the patients history given by the parents, teachers and/or the patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that a diagnosis of ADD should only be made by trained health care providers, as many of the symptoms may also be part of other conditions, such as bodily illness or other physiological disorders, such as hypothyroidism.[citation needed] It is not uncommon that physically and mentally nonpathological individuals exhibit at least some of the symptoms from time to time. Severity and pervasiveness of the symptoms leading to prominent functional impairment across different settings (school, work, social relationships) are major factors in a positive diagnosis.[citation needed] Adults often continue to be impaired by ADHD. Adults with ADHD are diagnosed under the same criteria, including the stipulation that their symptoms must have been present prior to the age of seven.[54] Adults face some of their greatest challenges in the areas of self-control and self-motivation, as well as executive functioning, usually having more symptoms of inattention and fewer of hyperactivity or impulsiveness than children do.[55] Common comorbid conditions are Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). About 20% to 25% of children with ADD meet criteria for a learning disorder.[56] Learning disorders are more common when there are inattention symptoms.[57]

Answer 5

There are two clusters of symptoms associated with ADHD. One is the "cognitive" cluster - features like distractibility, difficulty maintaining focus, inattention in a lecture or long conversation. The other cluster is the "behavioral" group and includes the observable symptoms like restlessness and hyperactivity and impulsivity.

A skilled clinician will talk with you about your life. They will probably walk through a checklist of symptoms but even more important is: what are your MAIN concerns? What's keeping you from doing the typical things people your age can do? What's keeping you from doing the things you want to do and dream of doing?

He or she will then ask you some directed questions. If they really know what it's like for individuals with ADHD they'll know the kinds of situations which will be the biggest challenges and they'll probably direct the conversation to those areas.

He or she will be interested to make sure it's not one of the many conditions that look like ADHD but aren't. Things like depression, post-trauma anxiety reactions, substance use/abuse, head injury, and learning disabilities. They might do formal testing or they might not, but they'll be interested in forming an impression of your general skills and weaknesses. In other words, they'll want to know whether their client has an across-the-board problem or the more specific challenges of ADHD.

There are lots of ways to be inattentive and unfocused. ADHD is a very specific way. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental (occurs early in life) disorder (meaning, it's really different from "typical") that impacts students' or adults' ability to sustain focus and inhibit distractibility with a task that's hard or uninteresting (so....playing Video Games for 3 hours = easy; doing math homework or tax paperwork for 15 minutes = hard).

If you find out that you do meet critieria for this specific way of being inattentive and unfocused, there are great resrouces and support. You might start with an ADHD coach. You might talk with knowledgeable teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, counselors, as well as parents and individuals with the condition. You might talk with your doctor about medication options.

On a final note, don't forget to find out about some of the really great characteristics that many people with ADHD share. Give yourself credit for creativity, spontaneity, and ability to work well under a deadline. And make the most of your positive qualities while you figure out some solutions to the challenges of restlessness and inattention.

Source(s):MASH, E., & Barkley R. (2007). Assessment of Childhood Disorders, Fourth Edition.

Barkley, R., & Benton, C. (2010). Taking Charge of Adult ADHD.

Rief, S. (2005). How to reach and teach children with ADD/ADHD: practical techniques, strategies, and interventions.

Hallowell, E. & Jensen, P. (2010). Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child.

Answer 6

Well for me, I just went to a doctor and they made me take a few tests on paper and I answered some questions. And I have a twins sister. Unfortunately I'm stuck with ADHD. I guess the way they do it is by asking the same questions in different wording and if your answers are different or he observes that you are fidgeting and can't concentrate then that's how. That's what happened to me.

Answer 7

Ideally, the doctor will discuss the symptoms with you, and refer you to a psychologist. ADHD is easy to misdiagnose, and family doctors usually don't have the experience with it to make a reliable diagnosis on their own.

Answer 8

Some signs of children with ADHD are inattentive (not hyperactive or impulsive), hyperactive and impulsive (able to pay attention), and all three combined.