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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD assessments. The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may request old reports and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior. 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 can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required. A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers, and physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and at school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they age. 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 adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce the effects of side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as 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 six months. If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request an extensive history of the problem from parents and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment. During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as 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. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient. It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as the workplace and at home. For ADHD to be recognized, the impairment must have been present at least six month. During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted. The following is a list of preventatives. Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. However, their problems can have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to find a job. They also have to be treated. The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name takes into account that children might only have symptoms of inattention. There are differences between the way the disorder is presented 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This involves a medical history review, a clinical interview and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones as well as teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. People who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in touch with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning in the way they should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. adhd diagnosis adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.