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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The expert will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak with teachers, relatives or 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 also may interfere with relationships and learning at school, work and at home. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult a GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if needed. A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your family members, as well as physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychiatrists and psychologists can 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your family life, at home, at work, and in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms are more 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants can be used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus. Diagnosis Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet 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 and in social settings. They will also discuss your child's development as well as medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems like 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. diagnosis adhd must be present in at least two different settings and make your child perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child doesn't meet the requirements 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. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment may include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based, as well as neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your doctor will examine your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as also group therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or a local 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 make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is a patient-patient interview. During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician will also request information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient. It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with the person's daily life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as home and work. For ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at least six month. During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient is in compliance with 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 such as difficulty paying attention specifics, making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak. Prevention People who have inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily missed. However, their issues can have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or struggle to hold their job. These individuals need to be treated, as well. 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name takes into account that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom. 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 makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment. A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults who have an knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. It is important to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some cases treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning in the way it should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.