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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental healthcare professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD assessments. The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They might want to look at old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends 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. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and at home. Speak to your GP in the event that you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical and health records and conducting a physical exam. I Am Psychiatry can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to help with diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychiatrists and psychologists 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life, at home, at work, and in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms tend 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific You may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child and development history, as well as the family history will be reviewed. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with that of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behaviors, such as difficulty in paying attention, forgetting things or interrupting other children. 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 environments, make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination of the body to determine if there are any medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request details about the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she might require medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as also group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you need to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for signs of abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient. During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request someone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for information. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient. It is crucial 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 symptoms have to be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society's 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: difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. However, their issues can have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or find it difficult to keep a job. They also have to be treated. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official term used to describe the condition. The term ADD can be used from time to time, but it is not the most commonly used. The new definition includes the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are some differences in the way the disorder is exhibited 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 means they are more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health care professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a 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 ratings scales, both by loved ones and by educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function. It is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working in the way they should. Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and parent training are very effective for children and adults with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to have regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.