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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The expert will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They may ask for old reports and speak with teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits. 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. The symptoms can also interfere with relationships and learning at work, school and home. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They're not able to definitively 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, looking over medical records and your medical history, and then performing an examination. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by using 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 a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms affect your life at home, at work, and at school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely present 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 your adult symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that may be affecting your life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school and in social settings. They will also go over your child's developmental medical history and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They can use standard rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems 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 occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption and be present for at least six (6) months. If your child isn't meeting 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 assess your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly inheritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to get treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. check this site out use computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most crucial part of an evaluation is a patient interview. During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for details from someone who knows the patient well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will prepare the report, and then discuss the results with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed, the impairment must have been present at least six month. During the interview, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying close attention to details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. Prevention Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well in school, experience problems with their peers, or struggle to hold an occupation. They also have to be treated with respect. The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer designation takes into account the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are differences in the way that 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 it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the person, as well as normed ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning. A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also keep in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should. The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.