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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses. The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They may ask to see old reports and speak to family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood habits. 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, at home and work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. adhd diagnosis adult could include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at home, work and school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 your adult symptoms meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. They will also go over your child's developmental medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to that of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge 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 different settings, make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also seek details from someone who knows the patient well, such as a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the findings with the patient. It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric 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 is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. The following is a list of preventions. In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep an occupation. These individuals need to be treated, too. The term ADD is still used frequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition recognizes that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom. There are some differences in the manner in which 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 increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also stay contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working exactly as they should. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.