attention
Lynae Friend
Volume 1, Case #14
Top of Form
Presentations of ADHD
The diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is about half of that in children (Stahl, 2013). This is because ADHD is harder to diagnose in adults. Most likely, this is due to adults referring themselves to medical healthcare professionals as opposed to family members noticing the symptoms and referring them (Stahl, 2013). Adults also often have a comorbid condition, such as substance abuse disorder, mood disorder, or anxiety disorder that need stabilized prior to addressing ADHD (Stahl, 2013).
Questions to Ask the Patient
1. Do you often have trouble getting tasks done at work? One of the diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with primarily inattentive presentation is failing to pay close attention to details or making careless mistakes at work or in other activities (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
2. Do you lose focus quickly and fail to finish household chores? Another diagnostic criterion for ADHD with inattention presentation is often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish chores or duties in the workplace (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
3. Do you often lose or quit jobs frequently? This is a common problem among adults who have undiagnosed ADHD (CHADD, 2020).
People to Ask Questions to Related to the Patient
1. Parents- I would want to speak to the patient’s parents to find out if the patient had symptoms of ADHD as child. ADHD can typically be diagnosed by the age of seven because of the abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex (Stahl, 2013). Thus, I would want to ask the parents the following questions:
a. Did she had difficulty paying attention and finishing tasks?
b. Did she often lost things, such as school materials, pencils, and books (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)?
c. Did she often want to run and climb on things when it was inappropriate (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)?
1. Daughter- I would want to ask the patient’s daughter questions because she can provide a picture of what the patient is like at home. The questions are symptoms from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM-5) in diagnosing ADHD. The questions I would ask include:
a. Is your mom often forgetful in things such as making your school lunches or signing permission slips (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)?
b. Does your mom often blurt out answers before you have completely asked the question (American Psychiatric Association)?
2. Siblings- The patient’s siblings can also help the provider know if the patient has symptoms of ADHD. Questions I would ask them are also symptoms from the DSM-5 and include:
a. Does your sister seem to listen when spoken directly to (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)?
b. Is she often reluctant to engage in activities that require sustained mental effort (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)?
c. Does she have trouble waiting her turn while in a line (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)?
Physical Exams and Diagnostic Tests
Providers can diagnose ADHD by using the guidelines in the DSM-5 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [CDC], 2019). According to the CDC (2019), a patient can be diagnosed with ADHD primarily inattention if he or she has the following symptoms:
a. Failing to give close attention to detail.
b. Trouble holding attention on tasks.
c. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties.
d. Has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
e. Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort.
f. Loses things necessary for tasks and activities.
g. Is easily distracted.
h. Often forgetful in daily activities.
According to the CDC (2019), patients can be diagnosed with ADHD with primarily hyperactivity and impulsivity if he or she have the following symptoms:
a. Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
b. Leaves seat in situations when one is expected to remain in seat.
