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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses. The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may want to see old reports and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about 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, home and at work. Consult your GP if you or your child exhibits these signs. 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 are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and then performing an exam. You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct 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 exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life, at home at work, or at school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. These medications may be given in extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood. Diagnosis Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be studied. They will then compare your child's behavior against those of children who are their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about 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 be present in a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months. If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy, such as 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 a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial element of an examination is a patient-patient interview. During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient. It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD. During Iam Psychiatry , the doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient is in compliance with 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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak. The following is a list of preventatives. Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with their peers, or find it difficult to hold a job. These people need to be treated, too. 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer version takes into account that children can suffer from inattentive symptom. There are some differences in the way the disorder is presented 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 go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with an understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones and by educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should. The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.