How ADHD Is Diagnosed
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The ADHD Diagnosis and Testing Guide for Patients

A thorough ADHD diagnosis includes symptom tests and interviews, plus a through medical history and evaluations for conditions commonly diagnosed alongside ADD — namely ODD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. It's a complicated process — as it should be to ensure accuracy. Here, learn what to expect from start to finish.

2 Comments: The ADHD Diagnosis and Testing Guide for Patients

  1. We are learning that ADHD has distinct clinical Brain anomolies. Some say we are on the threshold of laboratory measuring of Blood indicators and other bodily fluids that are unique to ADHDers . Radiological studies expensive though they are already show distint differences in volume, and Brain Activity of ADHDers.
    What will it mean when we can evaluate this condition clinically in a lab and Radiology exams.
    Well first it will mean the age old debate about ADHD will diminish and gradually be replaced by street knowledge much like Crohns disease which until they discovered a clinical test was called Mongoloid Idiots disease. Hopefully the discovery will be credited to someone with a unique and complimentary name like Crown, or King, or better still Bright. Though called an unflattering descriptive Crohns at least had physical deficits that could be seen. The name change was an earth shattering event for the parents and their feelings of guilt. So would a name like Brights disease.

    Secondly we may learn that some, with this combination of genetic and neuro transmitter anomalies grow up without the characteristic traits. These “carriers” may give us clues of how to prevent the behavior and other characteristic traits from occurring. Unfortunately unless it is a drug therapy I doubt if any research along these lines will be funded. The impact of a so called “cure” might be cataclysmic for certain Drug companies as would clinical tests replacing psychological industry evaluations.
    Since Governments generally are providing less funding for Basic research we may see this day postponed indefinitely due to funding . Postponed but not eliminated.
    For many worlwide it will mean the major expense of Diagnosis will be eliminated. Much of Canada for example does not include the cost of Current Psych. testing for evaluation in their Provincial (State) Medicare plans but do include lab and radiology tests.

    I look forward to that day, hopefully in my lifetime, when my Descendents will not have the name , cost and shame associated with zADHD.

    Don

    1. The above comments are based on the premise that ADHD is caused by faulty and/or distinctly different Brain wiring and structure, Current diagnosis precludes us from finding carriers because it restricts the diagnosis to those who can not and have not overcome the handicaps that this brain condition causes. Therefore no one with the anomaly but not the character flaws will be labeled and diagnosed as they do not fit the criteria which is results based not causal based.
      “causal effects are sought in a sphere which belongs to purposive values. Psychotherapy Hugo Mnsterberg. He works with moral means; the physician, with causal means.”

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