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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses. The specialist will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They might request old reports and talk to family members, teachers or friends to get information about your childhood behaviors. 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. Speak to your GP when you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary. A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting a physical exam. Iam Psychiatry is also possible to mention the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms affect your family life, at home, at work, and in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however, the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Psychostimulants are substances that alter neurotransmitters within the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD assessment your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also review your child's growth medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of specific behaviors, 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, cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months. If your child does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and head injuries that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling as well as group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurer or asking 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. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for any abnormalities. However, experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview. During an interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a thorough process that could be a long time. The doctor will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main situations, including work and 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 review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the person meets the diagnostic criteria established 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 is based on at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on work or activities and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Prevention Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to hold an occupation. These people must be treated as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD may still be occasionally used but it's not the most commonly used. The new definition includes the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person and also standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another psychiatric or medical issue such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Anyone who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working in the way they should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and decrease 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 have regular check-ups with their healthcare providers because some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.