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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior. 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 work, school and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, speak to a GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed. A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and conducting an examination. You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise the description and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. This includes looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, work and school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they grow 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 criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to minimize the risk of side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD must follow certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be examined. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against that of other children their age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to pay attention, forgetting about 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 at least two different settings that cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child isn't meeting 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based, as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request an extensive history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed 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 behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an evaluation. During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take up to an hour. The clinician will then complete a report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is essential to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the individual's daily activities. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak. The following is a list of preventatives. People with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep a job. These people also need to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD may still be used from time to time but it's not the most commonly used. The newer version takes into account that children can be suffering from an inattention symptom. There are differences between the way that the disorder is manifested by girls and boys. 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 seek treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. That includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well and also standard ratings scales that are used by loved ones and teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning. adhd diagnosis uk adults is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also keep in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should. The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.