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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your history. They may request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to learn 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, work and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required. A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and then performing an exam. You can also discuss the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could 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 examination and laboratory 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 inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your life, at home, at work, and in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications increase energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to lessen the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school and in social settings. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. They will then compare your child's behavior to those of children who are of similar age. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to focus, forgetting about things and 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 a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months. If your child does not meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional 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 complete psychiatric examination may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also check your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They might also request an extensive history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD because the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person might require medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, you need to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or your 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. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most important component of an assessment. During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also ask for details from someone who knows the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can be a long time. The clinician will complete an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient. It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect a person's life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation'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 following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on work or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak. Prevention In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and are often missed. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. They also have to be treated. The term ADD is still used infrequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. There are differences between the manner in which 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person, as well as normed scales of rating used by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to affect functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential side effects. adult adhd diagnosis uk should also remain in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is working as it should. The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.