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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information about your 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and home. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records, and performing a physical exam. You can also mention the history of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests. 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms impact your daily life, at home, at work, and at school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also review your child's growth medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, like 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. They must occur in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health 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 use computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation. During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well, such as a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend a lot of 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 findings of the examination with the patient. It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, 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 supported by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted. The following is a list of preventatives. People with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep jobs. These individuals require treatment, as well. The term ADD is still used infrequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition includes the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. There are some differences in the way that the disorder is manifested 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 it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. click this link now requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include a medical history review, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well and also standard scales of rating completed by loved ones and teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function. A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. People who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working exactly as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.