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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step in managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.

The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behavior.

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 home, school and work. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.

A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family's ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.

Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, at home, and in school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms tend to 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.

During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. 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 of similar age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 at least two different settings and make your child perform poorly, and last for six months.

If your child isn't meeting 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 thorough psychiatric evaluation can include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.

During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request someone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. 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 procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.

It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.

The following is a list of preventions.

In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These people must be treated too.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time however it is not the most common. The newer definition is based on the fact that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom.

While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are some 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.

A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should.

Stimulant drugs are the most popular treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.