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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The specialist will conduct an organized interview to review your history. They may ask for old report cards and talk to family members, teachers or classmates 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 interfere with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, speak to an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required. A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing an exam. You can also discuss your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They will look for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to 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 your adult symptoms meet the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may affect your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also go over your child's developmental as well as medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children his age. They can employ standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, like inability to focus, forgetting about things, or interrupting other people. There are three presentations of ADHD – predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with adhd uk diagnosis , 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 disruption, and have been present for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria 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 complete psychiatric examination can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because the condition is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or a local mental 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 for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, for instance 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 evaluation. During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The physician will then write a report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main environments, like the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless errors, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's voice when they speak. Prevention Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often ignored. However, their issues can have consequences: they may be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or have difficulty to find their job. These individuals require treatment, as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used however it is not the most commonly used. The new definition takes into account the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests itself between 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 thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well, as well as normed ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that affects functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working as it should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training are very effective for children and adults with this condition too. It is important to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.