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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD assessments. The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They might want to look at old reports and speak with teachers, relatives or friends about 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 school, work and home. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required. A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your medical history, and conducting a physical exam. You can also provide the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise a description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home, at work, and at school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to manifest 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 your adult symptoms match the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release form to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. 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 towards managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as 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 an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social environments. They will also review your child's development as well as medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting others. 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 occur in more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the requirements 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 assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and also group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Going On this page to get treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company 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 attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek details from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the results with the patient. It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to that the symptoms affect the individual's daily activities. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, like the workplace and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at least six months. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with 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 requires at least three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak. The following is a list with preventions. Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep an occupation. These people must be treated as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time however it is not the most common. The newer version is based on the fact that children can have symptoms of inattention. There are differences in the way the disorder is presented by boys and girls. 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 them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A thorough examination by a medical professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones as well as educators. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning. It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also remain contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular checks with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.