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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD assessments. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They may want to see old reports and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior. Signs and 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 relationships and learning at home, school and work. Speak to your GP if you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary. A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and determine if these symptoms impact your daily life at home, at work, and at school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are likely to manifest 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 your adult symptoms meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric examination is performed by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth 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 regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with those of children who are their age. how do you get diagnosed with adhd in adults may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavioral problems like difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting other children. 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 a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause disruption and be present for at least six months. If your child isn't meeting the requirements 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 thorough psychiatric examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient. During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient. It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with the life of a person. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major environments, like home and work. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, the doctor will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established 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 must be supported by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Prevention Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. But their problems do result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or find it difficult to find an occupation. These people must be treated too. The term ADD is still used occasionally, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition is based on the fact that children may be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. There are some differences in the manner in which 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This includes an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely effective for children and adults with this condition too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.