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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The expert will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might request old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors. 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 school, at home and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed. A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms affect your life at home at work, or in school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to present 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 criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric evaluation is performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also review your child's development, medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior against those of children who are of similar age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about 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 and cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months. If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). adhd diagnostic www.iampsychiatry.uk can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial element of an evaluation is a patient interview. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is very familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that could take up to an hour. The physician will then write a report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including home and work. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at least six month. During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or seeming distracted. The following is a list with preventions. People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or have difficulty to hold their job. These people also need to be treated. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used, but it is not the most popular. The new definition takes into account the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some 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 not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include an assessment of medical history as well as a clinical interview, and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good understanding of the individual and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning. It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. 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 to expect from the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also keep contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working exactly as they should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very effective for children and adults with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular checks with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.