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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may ask for old reports and speak with family members, teachers or classmates about your childhood habits. 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 work, school and at home. Talk to your GP if you or your child displays these symptoms. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but 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 medical history, and then performing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. This includes looking for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at home, at work or school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more 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 are in line with the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also review your child's growth, medical history and family history. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the 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 different settings and make your child perform poorly, and last for six months. If your child doesn't meet 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 tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will perform 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 similar to ADHD symptoms. They might also request details about the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local 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 make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment. During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask someone who is very familiar with the patient, like 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 lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, including work and home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present for at least six months. During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 requires at least three of the following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak. Prevention In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep jobs. They also have 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition includes the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are differences in the way that 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 will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes 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 a good understanding of the person, and normative rating scales, both by loved ones as well as educators. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning. A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are working exactly as they should. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. It is crucial to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.