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ADHD Evaluations and DiagnosesGetting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak with teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits.Signs and symptomsChildren 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 work, school and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to a GP. They’re not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required.A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and conducting an exam. You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents 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 evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, at home, and in school.Adults can also 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 your adult symptoms meet the guidelines for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.DiagnosisA diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric evaluation can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth 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 school, at home and in social settings. They will also go over your child’s development as well as medical and family history. They will then assess your child’s behaviors to the behavior of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or 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 more than one setting and affect your child’s performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six (6) months.If your child is not able to meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them 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 could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and check your child’s heart rate to rule out medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child’s development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family. They will also consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since the condition is highly heritable.TreatmentIf someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, and also group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find 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 like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that could take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient.It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person’s everyday life. This means that the individual’s symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as the workplace and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present at least six month.During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person’s medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the person meets 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 is based on at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted.The following is a list of preventatives.In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don’t get diagnosed. They’re not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. However, their problems can have consequences: they could underperform at school, clash with their peers, or struggle to find a job. These people need to be treated, too.The term ADD is still used frequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. iampsychiatry.com recognizes that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.There are differences in the manner in which the disorder is manifested 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 them more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers or other adults with a good understanding of the person, and normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones as well as teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that impacts the functioning.A thorough examination is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should.Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular checks with their health care providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.