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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They might request old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out 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. The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records, and performing an examination. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms are affecting your daily life at home, at work or school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms tend 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus. Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation can be performed by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who has a symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at the home, school and social environments. They will also review your child's developmental medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior to the behavior of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 settings and cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least at least six months. If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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 can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by calling your insurance company or your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Others utilize brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask someone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as 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 physician 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 extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be recognized, the impairment must have been present at least six months. During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak. diagnosing adhd , people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold a job. They also have to be treated. The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name takes into account that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom. While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are variations in the way that the disorder presents itself between 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual as well as normative ratings scales, both by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also stay contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning as they should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.