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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments. The specialist will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might want to look at old reports and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behaviors. 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 learning and relationships at work, school and home. Speak to your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to 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 then performing physical exam. You can also provide the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, or in school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus. Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at the home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against those of children who are his age. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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. adhd diagnostic must be present in at least two different settings that make your child 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 an 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 can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and conduct a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and your family. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by 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 professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an evaluation. During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient. It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak. Prevention Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find jobs. These people must be treated as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The new definition is based on the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. There are differences in the way that 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 increases the likelihood that they will be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment. A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes a medical history review, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales completed both by loved ones as well as educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Children and adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to have regular check-ups with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.