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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your past. They might request old reports, and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your 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 also cause problems with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. Consult your GP if you or your child displays these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed. A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and performing an exam. You can also discuss your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to 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. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at home, at work or 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattentive presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your life professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be examined. They will then assess your child's behavior to those of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behavior 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 environments and make your child perform poorly, and last for at least six months. If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis Your healthcare provider could 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. adhd adult diagnosis uk could include computer-based psychological and cognitive tests, as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and assess 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 can also ask teachers and caregivers to provide a full background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, and also group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient interview. During the interview, the doctor will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also speak with nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could be a long time. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the results with the patient. It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to that the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major situations, including home and work. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present for at least six month. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the person 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak. Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or find it difficult to hold an occupation. These people need to be treated, too. The term ADD is still used frequently 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 name recognizes that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom. While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are distinct ways in which 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. That includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function. It is important to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of 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. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.