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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask for old report cards and talk to parents, relatives or even friends 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required. A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and performing 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 psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests. 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. They will look for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely to present differently as they grow older. 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 adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to minimize the risk of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association'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 home, school and social environments. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behavior of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring things and 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 at least two environments that make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria for a diagnosis 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 assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview. During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also request details from someone who knows the patient well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient. It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including the workplace and at home. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at minimum six months. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association's 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 the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Prevention People who have inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or struggle to hold a job. They require treatment, as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most commonly used. 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 cases, there are a few distinct ways in which the disorder presents itself between 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It involves examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones as well as teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working as it should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.