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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Making an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations. The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They may ask for old report cards and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behaviors. 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary. A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical history and health records, and performing an examination. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include 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. 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. These include looking for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but 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 may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They are available in extended-release forms to lessen adverse effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric evaluation can be conducted by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's development medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as 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 two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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. Iam Psychiatry could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and examine 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. Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, and also group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient. During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a very thorough process and can be a long time. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. This means that the symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be 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 person meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak. Prevention People with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or have difficulty to find their job. These people also need to be treated. 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 version is based on the fact that children might only have symptoms of inattention. There are some differences in the way 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well and also standard scales of rating that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular checks with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.