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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations. The expert will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might want to look at old reports and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior. 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 learning and relationships at school, home and work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult a GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required. A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and performing a physical exam. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following 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 six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, at home, and in school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest differently as they get older. 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 could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to reduce the effects of side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social settings. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then assess your child's behaviors to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause problems, and have been present for at least six (6) months. If your child doesn't meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider 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. A thorough psychiatric examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also request a detailed history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is a patient interview. During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also seek information from someone who is familiar with the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. diagnosis adhd is a long procedure that could take up to an hour. 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 diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at least six month. During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric 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, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak. Prevention Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience problems with their peers, or struggle to keep jobs. These people must be treated as well. 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 new definition is based on the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are differences in the way the disorder is manifested 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. That includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that impacts the functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep in touch with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working as they should. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.