|  | Conditions Treatments | ADHD

Tests to Diagnose ADD & ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both diagnosed with the same kind of testing. Assessment is done by physical examination, observing behavior, ruling out other possible conditions and some psychological testing. The testing is similar but not identical for children and adults. A conclusive diagnosis for ADD or ADHD can take a fair amount of time and patience.

  1. Physical Testing

    • A complete medical exam should be completed in the initial phase of diagnosing suspected ADD or ADHD. This is needed to rule out other potential physical or chronic illnesses or biological causes that could affect behavior, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). There are many physical conditions that can affect how you behave, including diabetes and hormonal problems.

    Psychological Testing

    • Another important consideration for diagnosing ADD and ADHD is the DSM-IV (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which is used as a standardized diagnostic tool for many psychiatric disorders. This resource was designed by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by most mental-health professionals when considering attention disorders. The DSM-IV explains the way ADD and ADHD are exhibited, how and when symptoms may appear and lessen and factors that complicate the diagnosis. Testing will usually include IQ (Intelligent Quotient) and emotional adjustment tests.

    Behavior Assessment

    • According to the AAP's guidelines on attention disorder assessment, behavior must be evaluated in more than one area and by more than one person. This usually will include comprehensive interviews with the individual suspected of having ADD or ADHD, family members and, if the patient is a child, her teachers and possibly other school staff. This is done to build a complete picture of the patient's behavior and evaluate how she acts and reacts in different situations.

    Testing Is Done by More Than One Health Care Professional

    • Primary-care doctors do not work alone in the testing and treatment of patients with ADD and ADHD. Continuous communication and comparison with parents, teachers, other school professionals and other medical professionals are necessary to evaluate and then monitor the progress and effectiveness of treatment.

    Considerations

    • The DSM-IV guideline for testing cautions doctors to consider certain situations that can affect a diagnosis of ADHD. For example, younger children, usually under the age of 5, will have a variation in behavior that is normal for toddlers. The guideline also suggests that adults should not be diagnosed with ADHD strictly on their own recollection of their behavior as children. Their personal retrospective and memory can not be considered completely reliable. Adults should be evaluated using similar criteria as for children, including physical and psychological testing.

ADHD - Related Articles