ADD diagnosis in adults

introduction

The diagnosis one ADD disease in adults is a very complex process. Since there is no simple evidence for the disease, it must be based on Symptoms and the detailed investigation the patient's ADD can be detected.
There is also a team of different Doctors and Skilled workers necessary. Other causes of the symptoms need to be ruled out and the severity of the condition determined. The diagnosis of ADD is not easy and belongs in the hands of experienced doctors.

How is ADD diagnosed in adults?

Symptoms of the ADHD spectrum occur, by definition, in childhood, but are especially in the ADD type without hyperactivity and without impulsivity easily overlooked or misinterpreted. Your illness is characterized by social and psychological problems. The characteristics are so variable that the ADS expresses itself differently for everyone. The patient himself often perceives the symptoms as negative personality traits.

Thus, the diagnosis is often not made at all or only in adults. Additionally complicate Compensation strategies after years of attention and concentration weakness the diagnosis is made. If there are indications of an ADD illness, this usually comes from the social environment or from a doctor who is already treating the patient for other illnesses associated with ADD.

The ADD diagnostics then consists mainly of Conversations with an experienced doctorwho specifically asks you about ADD core symptoms, typical compensation mechanisms and associated problems. Questionnaires, Behavioral tests and the Bquestioning the environment compliment the diagnosis. But also a thorough one physical examination is needed to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
How the doctor proceeds exactly varies from patient to patient due to the variability and complex diagnostics. The basis for this are guidelines drawn up by expert committees, e.g. describe the symptoms required. In most cases it makes sense to include the closer social environment. Many cases of ADD are genetically (partly) caused and Symptoms can also be found at find other family members. Family and friends can usually report abnormalities better than the patient himself.

Laboratory tests or something similar is available for ADS Not. Genetic analyzes can determine ADD-associated genes in patients, but since these do not necessarily cause the disease and such tests are time-consuming and ethically problematic, this is only undertaken for research purposes.
There is therefore no evidence of ADD. With enough experience and extensive diagnostics, a specialist can nevertheless determine the diagnosis relatively reliably and treat the patient appropriately.

People with ADD often suffer from other mental health problems. These are partly due to ADD, partly they occur independently of it, but above average often in this group of patients. A Diagnostics beyond ADD is therefore important in order to identify and treat associated diseases.

Tests for adults

The tests that the doctor does on the patient differ depending on the guideline. These include behavior tests, intelligence tests, concentration tests and many more, which give the doctor information about the psychological state and performance of the patient.
There are many questionnaires and self-tests for the patient himself. Official bodies such as the WHO, the central ADHD network, the DGPPN, an association of psychiatrists and many more offer screening and differentiation tests in order to assign symptoms of an ADHD disease and determine the type.
These tests are only meaningful if they have been filled in truthfully and an experienced doctor confirms the results after a detailed diagnosis.
The typical symptoms occur in a similar constellation in other diseases that must be ruled out by the doctor. In order to be able to reliably diagnose ADD, a doctor's visit is always necessary.
The various tests are quite useful, as they show the patient their own illness and the accompanying symptoms are clear to them. Self-testing can thus form a basis for understanding the disease and for successful therapy.

You might also be interested in: ADS test

Which doctor makes the diagnosis of ADD?

As with most diseases, the first point of contact is Family doctor. If he has experience with the clinical picture, he can make the diagnosis and initiate therapy.
For further clarification and to rule out other diseases, depending on the symptom complexes psychiatrist, Neurologist and other specialists are necessary. The family doctor assesses the extent of the illness and refers the patient to the required colleagues.