Understanding ADHD Diagnosis: What to Expect
- Dr.Sailaja Pisapati, Psy
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Welcome to our blog! Today, we're diving into a crucial topic: How Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is diagnosed. Drawing from insights shared by Clinical Psychologist Sailaja Pisapati, we'll walk you through the process and what factors clinicians consider.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, also known by other names like hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, or hyperkinesis, is a condition characterized by persistent issues with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While the terminology might vary, the core challenges remain consistent. It's important to remember that diagnosing ADHD is a comprehensive process, and there's no single behavior or problem that definitively indicates the disorder.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
When parents seek help for their child exhibiting ADHD-like features, the diagnosis involves several key steps:
Detailed History: A clinical psychologist will take a thorough history of the child, focusing on longstanding problems with attention, impulsivity, and excessive activity. This helps to understand the pattern of these concerns. Interestingly, some parents recall their child being excessively active even before birth, while others describe a fussy and difficult infant or a child with boundless energy and intolerance to confinement. These early patterns can be important indicators.
Family History: Given the hereditary component of ADHD, family history plays a significant role in the assessment process.
School Behavior: Information from teachers is essential. Reports on the child's ability to finish tasks, follow rules, and respect authorities in the classroom provide valuable insights, as ADHD-related problems are often most apparent in a classroom setting.
Academic Achievement: Because ADHD can be linked to learning difficulties, assessing the child's academic achievement level is sometimes important.
Intelligence Screening: A screening of general intelligence is usually included to rule out below-average intellectual functioning. Children with lower intellectual abilities might appear bewildered and frustrated due to the complexities of daily life, which can sometimes be mistaken for ADHD.
Emotional Adjustment: Conditions like depression and anxiety can often coexist with ADHD. Therefore, exploring the child's emotional state is necessary to rule out these possibilities. Understanding a child's emotional concerns can also contribute to a more comprehensive treatment plan.
Peer Relations: Difficulties in making and keeping friends can be observed in some children with ADHD. Information about poor social relationships can be helpful in developing a suitable treatment plan.
Child-Rearing Practices: While parenting styles don't cause ADHD, they can influence how well or poorly a child manages their symptoms. Understanding parent-child interactions and the impact of parental temperaments and personalities is important.
Medical History and Evaluation: Although rare, other medical problems can sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms. A physician needs to rule out any underlying physical disorders as the cause of the issues. Generally, a full neurological evaluation or EEG is not required unless epilepsy is suspected.
Observation: Clinicians carefully observe the child's behavior. This might include noticing if the child often fidgets, has difficulty staying seated, is easily distracted, struggles to wait for their turn, blurts out answers, has trouble following instructions, finds it difficult to sustain attention in tasks or play, struggles to transition between activities, has difficulty playing quietly, talks excessively, interrupts others, doesn't seem to listen, loses necessary items, or engages in physically dangerous activities without considering the consequences.
It's a Comprehensive Process
In conclusion, diagnosing ADHD is a multifaceted process that involves gathering information from various sources, including parents, teachers, and the child themselves. While checklists, computerized tasks, and brain wave measurements exist, a proper diagnostic assessment by a clinical psychologist is the most helpful way to understand and address potential ADHD. If you have concerns about your child, seeking professional help is the crucial first step towards understanding their challenges and accessing appropriate support and treatment.
In Conclusion
ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While there is no cure for ADHD, there are effective treatments available that can help individuals manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
If you are struggling with ADHD, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you. I encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional to discuss your options.
You can also connect with me on social media or visit my website to learn more about ADHD and how to manage it.
Join the conversation in the comments. Let’s grow stronger together.
Take care and keep thriving,
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Sailaja Pisapati
Clinical Psychologist & Hypnotherapist
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