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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments. The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They may ask to see old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood habits. 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 at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, talk to a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records and completing a physical exam. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, and physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination. Psychologists and psychiatrists 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. These include looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at work, home and school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more 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 meet the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (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 an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be studied. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things and 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 a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months. If your child doesn't 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 thorough psychiatric examination may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body 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 family. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an examination is a patient interview. During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient. It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major environments, like work and home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). I Am Psychiatry of ADHD is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and are often overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold an occupation. They also have to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time, but it is not the most common. The newer name takes into account that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom. While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests between 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. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health care professional. This includes a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms. Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working in the way it should. Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.