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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may request old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to get information about your 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 also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, at home and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed. A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical examination. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination. Psychologists and psychiatrists can 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. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life at home, at work or school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 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 typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve focus and mood. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (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 ask questions about your child's behavior in the home, school and social settings. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be reviewed. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, 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, make your child perform poorly, and last for six months. If your child does not meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider 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 thorough psychiatric evaluation could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They might also request a detailed history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD, as ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurance provider or asking your 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, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment. During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete a report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present for at least six month. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out 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 symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. The following is a list of preventions. Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they are often ignored. But their problems do have consequences: they could be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to find their job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect. The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name is based on the fact that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom. There are some differences in the way that the disorder is exhibited by 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. diagnosed with adult adhd increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This involves an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative rating scales completed both by family members and teachers. These can be useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning. A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders can 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 stay contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working as they should. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.