Like many disorders, AD/HD is a clinical diagnosis based on a review of the patient’s history and the observations of others.
• There is no single blood analysis or similar physical tests that can be used to diagnose the condition.
• Instead, physicians evaluate their patients based on the person’s overall patterns of behavior and the symptoms of the disorder, using the diagnostic criteria DSM-IV.
• Only specially-trained healthcare professionals can officially diagnose AD/HD.
• Healthcare professionals secure information regarding behavior in all facets of the person’s life directly from the family and, when appropriate, their teachers (using standard rating scales).
• Physicians must also evaluate individuals for other possible causes of inattentive or overactive behavior, as well as for common coexisting conditions, including depression and anxiety.
• Most experts agree that an appropriate treatment strategy should include a combination of medical, educational and behavioral approaches.
