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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses. The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may ask to see old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at school, home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed. A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and then performing physical exam. You can also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers along with physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychiatric examination. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, work and school. Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however 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 may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, improving concentration and focus. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood and focus. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, as well as family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in home, school and social settings. They will also discuss your child's development, medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain 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 different settings, cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months. If your child is not able to meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis 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 complete psychiatric examination can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will take into consideration whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider 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 use computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most crucial component of an assessment. During the interview, the therapist will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also seek information from someone who knows the patient well like the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take up to an hour. The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the assessment with the patient. adhd diagnosis uk adults is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the life of a person. This means that the person's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations, including home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, a clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history and determine whether or not the patient meets the diagnostic criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th 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 particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak. Prevention In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep jobs. They also have to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most popular. The newer name is based on the fact that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom. While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are variations in the way that the disorder manifests 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. That includes the 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 well and also standard rating scales that are completed by family members and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of other disorders may help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay contact with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with inattentive ADHD can benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to seek regular check-ups with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.