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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses. The expert will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may want to see old reports and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behaviors. 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. These symptoms can cause issues with learning and relationships at school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary. A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and conducting physical examination. It is also possible to discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents 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 a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms affect your life at home at work, or in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow 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 criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These drugs improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to minimize the risk of side effects. adhd diagnosis in adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social environments. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be examined. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to that of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or 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 occur in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months. If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 evaluation may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the issue from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is an interview with the patient. During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the symptoms must be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak. The following is a list of preventatives. Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep an occupation. These people must be treated too. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still used from time to time, but it is not the most popular. The newer name recognizes that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom. There are differences in the manner in which the disorder is exhibited 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 them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.