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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask to see old reports and speak to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood habits. Signs and symptoms Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions—things that come naturally to others. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records, and performing physical examination. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, or at school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they get older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both. If you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with those of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about things and interrupting other people. There are three presentations of ADHD – predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in at least two environments and cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis. A thorough psychiatric evaluation can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based, as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to identify any medical issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an assessment. During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. adhd diagnose will then write a report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient. It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main situations, including home and work. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or seeming distracted. Prevention People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find an occupation. They also have to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most commonly used. The new definition includes the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. There are differences in the way the disorder is manifested by girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers, parents or other adults who know the person as well as standard scales of rating used by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning. A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning as it should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.