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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your history. They may ask for old reports and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior. 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 also cause problems with relationships and learning at home, school and at work. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these signs. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records, and performing a physical exam. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers along with physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Psychiatrists and psychologists can 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. This includes looking for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your life at home, work and school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are likely to 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 criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. Then, they will compare your child's behavior to that of other children of similar age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting 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 and affect your child's performance and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months. If your child does not meet 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 thorough psychiatric examination may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure and complete an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an evaluation. During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to that the symptoms affect the person's everyday life. This means that the symptoms have to be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. how to get an adhd diagnosis iampsychiatry.uk , people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold a job. They also have to be treated with respect. 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation includes the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. There are differences in the manner in which 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 makes them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment. A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.