Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools

ADHD is generally diagnosed during childhood or adolescence with no diagnostic laboratory test for confirming the disorder. Complete medical examination is not only essential, but also necessary to identify the related conditions of ADHD in order to treat the type. The most important diagnostic tool is the clinical interview.

Various psychological tests are used to diagnose ADHD; The Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scale (for children) and the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) for teens and adults are useful tools for diagnosis of ADHD.

Impulsivity and inattention are assessed with the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the Integrated Visual and Auditory (IVA) CPT, or both. The Nadeau/Quinn/Littman ADHD Self-Rating Scale for Girls is a part of the assessment for all girls. (3)

In children aged 5 years, “soft signs” appear early suggesting the presence of ADHD. Soft signs include:

• Coordination difficulties
• Impaired motor skills
• Constant, involuntary movement of the eyes (nystagmus)
• Visual-motor control problems (hand-eye coordination)

On the other hand, evaluating ADHD in adults is difficult and consists of understanding the childhood academic and behavioral history. Adults exhibit some of the coexisting conditions such as:

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Substance abuse
• Migraine
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Thyroid dysfunction (10).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

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