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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They might want to look at old reports and speak to teachers, relatives or 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 cause issues with learning and relationships at school, home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed. A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents 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 six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life, at home, at work, and in school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms are more likely to manifest 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 requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life both professionally and personally. how to diagnosis adhd licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society'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 regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior with those of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about things, or 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, cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria 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 conduct an examination to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local 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 performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an assessment. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The clinician will then complete a report and discuss the findings of the exam with the patient. It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at minimum six months. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on work or activities and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. The following is a list of preventatives. Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals also need to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used but it's not the most common. The new definition takes into account the fact that children could be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. There are some differences in the way 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 it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and a physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative rating scales completed both by loved ones and by teachers. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. A thorough examination is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.