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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Making a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations. The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your 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. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and completing a physical exam. It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, at work or school. Adults can also 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. adhd diagnostic help improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet 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 will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with those of children who are his age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, ignoring things and interrupting other children. 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 problems, and have been present for at least six months. If your child does not meet 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 complete psychiatric examination could include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start 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. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment. During the interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could be a long time. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient. It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with 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 backed by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated. 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are differences between the way that 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health professional. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well as well as standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.