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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Making a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may ask for old report cards 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, at home and at work. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing these signs. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting an examination. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a 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. Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily family life, at home, at work, and at school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms tend 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 requirements for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to minimize the risk of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric examination is performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. They will also discuss your child's developmental medical history and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against that of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behaviors, such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 disruption and be present for at least six months. If your child isn't meeting the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 complete psychiatric examination can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral 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 start by calling your insurance company or your 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. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an examination is a patient-patient interview. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can be a long time. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient. It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present at minimum six months. During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. Prevention In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. adhd diagnosis for adults or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to keep an occupation. They require treatment, as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time, but it is not the most popular. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. There are differences between the way the disorder is exhibited 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an understanding of the person, and normative rating scales, both by family members and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are working exactly as they should. Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.