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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step in managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.

The specialist will conduct a structured interview 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. These symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at home, school and at work. Talk to your GP in the event that you or your child displays these signs. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.

A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and conducting a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.

Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your life at home, work and school.

Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely manifest differently as they get older. 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 specific to adults, you may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing energy and alertness. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis of adhd in adulthood based on symptoms like ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. They will also review your child's growth as well as medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are their age. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or 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 occur in two or more settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption, and have been present for at least 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 examination may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can mimic ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they might require medication or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you must first locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment.

During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also request details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that could take an hour or more. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient.

It is extremely important to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main settings, such as the workplace and at home. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at least six months.

During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 must be backed by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.

Prevention

People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They might not do well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to find an occupation. These individuals require treatment, as well.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term adult add diagnosis can be occasionally used however it is not the most popular. The new definition takes into account the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.

There are some differences in the way the disorder is presented 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 means they are more likely to be undiagnosed and less likely to seek treatment.

A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.

A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or mental illness like anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Those who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also keep in contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should.

Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly, since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.