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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They might request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or your friends to find out about your childhood habits. 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 also cause problems with learning and relationships at work, school and home. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child displays these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records, and performing a physical exam. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychiatrists and psychology 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 patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at work, home and school. Adults may also 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. 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, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behaviors to those of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about things, and interrupting others. 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, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six 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 evaluation may include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also request a detailed history of the issue from parents 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, since it is highly heritable. how to get an adhd diagnosis If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview. During an interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults 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 a report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient. It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present for at least six months. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association'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 the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making careless mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to keep jobs. They also have to be treated. The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition is based on the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are differences between the manner in which 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 increases the likelihood that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. People who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. People who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.