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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may ask to see old reports and speak to your family members, teachers 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at home, school and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and conducting a physical examination. It is also possible to discuss the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, and physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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 patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for at least six months, and evaluating whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way 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 match the guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must follow specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. 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 go over your child's developmental medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as 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 be present in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause problems, and have been present for at least six months. If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also request a detailed history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. 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 component of an evaluation. During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take up to an hour. The clinician will complete the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present at least six months. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 specifics, making erroneous mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak. The following is a list of preventions. People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold an occupation. They require treatment, too. The term ADD is still used frequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself 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 them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function. It is important to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working exactly as it should. The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very effective for children and adults with this condition as well. It is essential to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.