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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations. The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your past. They might request old reports and talk to teachers, family members 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 relationships and learning at work, school and at home. Speak to your GP when you or your child displays these signs. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and completing a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers and physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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. These include looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more, and evaluating whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, at work or school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely present 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 criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood. getting diagnosed with adhd of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric examination is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person with an underlying 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 for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's growth medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to those of other children their age. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or 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 at least two settings that cause your child to perform poorly, and last for six months. If your child doesn't meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed 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 thorough psychiatric evaluation can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based, as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to receive treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation. During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could be a long time. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the examination with the patient. It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak. The following is a list with preventions. People with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep jobs. These individuals need to be treated, too. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most popular. The newer definition recognizes that children may only have symptoms of inattention. There are 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This involves an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales completed both by loved ones and by educators. These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function. It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.