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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments. The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your 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. These symptoms can cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and work. Speak to your GP if you or your child is showing these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and completing an examination. You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look 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 in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD, but the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 match the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, or 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 be present in at least two environments that cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child does not meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an evaluation. 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, like their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that could be a long time. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the exam with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main environments, like the workplace and at home. For how to get diagnosed with adhd ADHD Diagnosis to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at least six month. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak. Prevention In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold jobs. They also have to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most common. The newer definition recognizes that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom. While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some variations in the way that the disorder presents itself between 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 makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This involves an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by family members and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also keep 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 medications that can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.