Page Topic: ADD Diagnosis

Troubled Teens Help - ADD Diagnosis.

Although individuals with ADD can be very successful in life, without identification and proper treatment, ADD may have serious consequences, including school failure, depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, and job failure. Early identification and treatment are extremely important once diagnosis has taken place.

While there are no biological, physiological or genetic markers or independently valid tests that can reliably identify the disorder, the scientific consensus is that the diagnosis of ADHD can be made reliably using well-tested diagnostic interview methods. Because almost every teen shows signs of these behaviors at one time or another, the guidelines for determining whether a person has AD/HD are very specific. In young teens and older teenagers, the symptoms must be more frequent or severe than in other teens the same age. In adults, the symptoms must affect the ability to function in daily life and persist from childhood. In addition, the behaviors must create significant difficulty in at least two areas of life, such as home, social settings, school, or work. Symptoms must be present for at least six months. Determining if a child has ADD is a multifaceted process. Many biological and psychological problems can contribute to symptoms similar to those exhibited by teenagers with ADD. For example, anxiety, depression and certain types of learning disabilities may cause similar symptoms. There is no single test to diagnose ADD. Consequently, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to establish a diagnosis, rule out other causes and determine the presence or absence of co-existing conditions. Such an evaluation should include a clinical assessment of the individual's academic, social and emotional functioning and developmental level. A careful history should be taken from the parents, teachers and when appropriate, the teen. Checklists for rating ADD symptoms and ruling out other disabilities are often used by clinicians.

If your teen has been diagnosed with ADD and you feel that you need an intervention, please call us today. We have ADD specialists on staff and waiting for your call. Please call us at (866) MY-TEEN2 or (866) 698-3362.

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