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ADHD Evaluations and DiagnosesMaking an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. IamPsychiatry may request old reports and talk to family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behavior.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. These symptoms can also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, work and home. Talk to your GP if you or your child is showing 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 suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and conducting an exam. You can also mention your family’s history of ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers and a physical exam, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms affect your life at home at work, or in school.Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest differently as they age. 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 may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. These medications can be administered in extended-release versions to reduce the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus.DiagnosisFinding out if you have ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric assessment is conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association’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 regarding your child’s behavior in school, at home and in social settings. They will also review your child’s development medical and family history. They will then compare your child’s behavior to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 a variety of settings, affect your child’s functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.If your child does not meet the requirements for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional 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 complete psychiatric examination can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child’s blood pressure and conduct an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable.TreatmentIf someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to test for problems with attention and impulse control. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is a patient interview.During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for information. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on how the symptoms interfere with a person’s life. This means that the symptoms have to be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered a valid 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 set forth by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.The following is a list with preventions.In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren’t diagnosed. They’re not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they may underperform at school, clash with classmates or have difficulty to keep a job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time however it is not the most popular. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children can be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests 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 increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health professional. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well as well as standard scales of rating used by loved ones and educators. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning.It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some cases, treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms.Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning in the way it should.Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their healthcare providers, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.