I can tell you that there is really no definitive way to test for ADD and related disorders because there are no, well, broken cells to find or traces in the body to test for.
quote:
Diagnosing ADHD/ADD in Adults
The clinician will perform an evaluation for ADHD/ADD which should include a comprehensive clinical interview surveying past and present ADD symptoms, developmental and medical history, school history, work history, psychiatric history, social adjustment and general day-to-day adaptive functioning. This comprehensive interview is intended first to identify evidence of core ADD symptoms and then to ensure that the history of these symptoms is both chronic and pervasive. This exam usually requires one or two hours at minimum. Ideally, the interview should rely on several informants, such as a parent or significant other, and survey behavior from multiple settings (i.e., school, work, home). It is also imperative that the clinician attempt to rule in or rule out other psychiatric diagnoses that may better explain presenting symptoms.
The way doctors DO diagnose (or at least attmept to identify) disorders like ADD is by what the patient reports to them.
quote:
Adult ADHD/ADD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an adult is often not noticed because the person may maintain relationships, stay organized, and hold a steady job. It is not unusual for a parent to discover he or she has ADHD when his or her child is diagnosed with the disorder. The key to the diagnosis of ADHD for an adult is the presence of symptoms before he or she was 7 years old.
Hyperactivity in adults is often seen as:
Fidgeting. Typically they swing their legs, shift in their seats, or tap their fingers.
Constant motion. They feel "revved up," on the go, and show little or no ability to relax until exhausted.
An inability to relax. They have difficulty trying to relax or to do quiet activities such as reading or watching television.
Inattention in adults is often seen as:
Difficulty completing tasks that they do not find interesting or easy. However, these adults may become obsessed with activities that are interesting and enjoyable.
Difficulty maintaining relationships.
Difficulty focusing their attention on conversations, reading materials, or jobs. They may frequently move from one job to another.
Forgetfulness, misplacement, or loss of things.
Distractibility.
Here is a website with more complete information:
http://www.adultattention.org/add_adhd.htmlAnd, I can tell you from PERSONAL experience, that the way of finding the right medications to treat it can be a long and ever-changing process. My son has a form of ADD (actually hei s Autistic, but that includes the Attention Deficit issues that ADD possesses). And we spent nearly 2 years working on his medications to get them right.
AND the meds may need changed because of how the body changes/grows and alters the response to the medications.
