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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.

The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They might request old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behaviors.

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 also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and home. Speak to your GP if you or your child displays these symptoms. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.

A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and completing a physical exam. You can also discuss 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 comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers and a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.

Psychiatrists and psychologists can 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. This includes looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at work, home and school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may 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 improving alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms like ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.

During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's developmental medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. ADHD Diagnosis can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to pay attention, 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 two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six months.

If your child is not able to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that could mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also request a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and also group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.

During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also request someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the results of the exam 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 a person's life. This means that the symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present for at minimum six months.

During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.

Prevention

Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep an occupation. These people also need to be treated with respect.

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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.

While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests 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 it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.

It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also remain contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working exactly as they should.

Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.