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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The expert will conduct an organized interview to review your background. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out 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. The symptoms also may interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required. A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical records and your health history, and then performing a physical examination. You can also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP can then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms are affecting your life at work, home and school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow older. 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 guidelines for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. These medications may be given in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and improve focus and mood. Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (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 Iam Psychiatry , your healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be examined. They will then compare your child's behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are their age. They may use standardized ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring 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 different settings and cause your child to function poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them 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 thorough psychiatric evaluation may include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and neuropsychological and psychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and conduct an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for a detailed history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To start treatment, you must first find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or your local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for problems with attention and impulse control. Other doctors use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an evaluation. During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor might also request anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse, parent, or sibling, for details. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that can last up to an hour. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient. It is vital to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that symptoms have to be significant in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or seeming distracted. Prevention Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. However, their issues can have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with their peers, or struggle to find a job. These individuals also need to be treated with respect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name for the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used but it's not the most popular. The new definition takes into account the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone. There are differences in the way that the disorder is manifested by girls and boys. 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the patient well as well as standard rating scales used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working exactly as they should. The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals because some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.