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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations. The specialist will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They may request old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood habits. 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 exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They cannot 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 documents and your health history, and then performing an exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers along with physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, or at school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms tend to manifest 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD, must meet 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 the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to those of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure 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 occur in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six (6) months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them 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 cognitive and psychological tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. 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 may be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for an extensive history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to test for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important element of an assessment. During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. 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 could take up to an hour. The doctor will write the report, and then discuss the results with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect the life of a person. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main environments, like work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's 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 such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak. The following is a list of preventatives. Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold jobs. These people must be treated too. The term ADD is still used infrequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some distinct ways in which the disorder manifests 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 be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. That includes the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales completed both by loved ones as well as educators. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are caused by other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. www.iampsychiatry.uk who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working exactly as it should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their healthcare providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.