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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They might want to look at old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends about 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 cause issues with learning and relationships at school, home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they 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, looking over medical documents and your health history, and then performing a physical examination. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists 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 look for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, or in school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they age. 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 could be prescribed medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. adhd diagnosis for adults www.iampsychiatry.uk can be prescribed in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination is performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who has a symptom-based diagnosis such as 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, at school and in social settings. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to the behavior of other children of similar age. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty 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 be present in at least two settings that cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of at least six months. If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them 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 evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To begin treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors employ computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the findings with the patient. It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present for at least six months. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth 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 backed by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD and can be easily overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or have difficulty to keep a job. These people also need to be treated. The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder presents 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person, as well as normed rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to impact functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue like anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible adverse effects. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working in the way they should. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.