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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD assessments. The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They may want to see old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about your childhood habits. 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 school, at home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialists, if required. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and conducting physical examination. You can also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, along with physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily family life, at home at work, at home, and in school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are likely 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 requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal life. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. They will also go over your child's development, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior against the behavior of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things and interrupting other children. 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 two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the requirements 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 evaluation may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview of your child and your family. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start 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 area. Some doctors employ computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. adhd diagnosis uk adults agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an evaluation. During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major settings, such as work and home. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at least six months. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. Prevention Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep jobs. They also have to be treated. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used, but it is not the most common. The newer name takes into account that children might only have symptoms of inattention. There are some differences in the way that 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 it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This involves a medical history review, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is a process of examining reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales completed both by loved ones as well as educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. Those who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential side effects and treatment. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.