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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations. The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may ask to see old reports and speak to teachers, family members or your friends to find out 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed. A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your health history, and performing 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 conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests. Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life, at home at work, at home, and at school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way, but their symptoms are more likely 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 are in line with the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattention 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 Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social settings. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be examined. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting 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 environments, make your child perform poorly and last for at least six months. If your child is not able to meet all the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request details about the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will consider whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company 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 area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. adhd diagnosis uk adults utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also request information from someone who knows the patient well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could take an hour or more. The clinician will prepare an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient. It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to that the symptoms affect the individual's daily activities. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including the workplace and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present for at least six months. During the interview, 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 must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or activities, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and are often overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they could underperform at school, clash with peers or struggle to find a job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most popular. The new definition is based on the fact that children can be affected by inattention symptoms on their own. While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some variations in the way that the disorder manifests itself between 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This involves an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well and also standard ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Those who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.