ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to review your past. They may ask for old reports and talk to family members, teachers or classmates 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. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at work, school and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, speak to an GP. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required.

A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms impact your daily family life, at home, at work, and at school.

Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms are 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 medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release form to minimize the risk of the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in taking control of your symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.

During an ADHD assessment, your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be studied. They will then assess your child's behavior to the behaviors of other children who are who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, like 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 two or more settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six (6) months.

If your child does not meet 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.

A thorough psychiatric examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and check your child's heart rate to eliminate medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly heritable.

Treatment

If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you must first locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a 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. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors utilize brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation.

During the interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor will also request information from someone who is familiar with the patient well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.

It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that symptoms must be significant in two main settings, such as at work and at home. For ADHD to be recognized the disorder must have been present at least six months.

During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation'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: trouble paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing distracted.

Prevention

Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD, and they can be easily overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience conflicts with their classmates or struggle to keep a job. They also have to be treated.

The term ADD is still used frequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition here as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children can suffer from inattentive symptom.

There are differences in the way that the disorder is presented 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 go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation 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, teachers or other people who know the person as well as standard rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.

It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are due to other psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of other disorders may help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

People who are who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of potential adverse effects and treatments. They should also stay in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working as it should.

Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. It is important to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.