ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to managing symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family doctors) who is proficient in ADHD evaluations.

The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak to teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits.

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 at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to a GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.

A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and conducting physical examination. You may also provide the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical exam and lab tests.

Psychiatrists and psychology can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, at home, and at school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms tend 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 adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve concentration and focus, as well as improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. A person who is diagnosed with a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD must adhere to specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school and in social settings. They will also review your child's developmental medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior with the behaviors of other children who are their age. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty 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 two or more settings that affect your child's behavior and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.

If your child does not meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues 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 caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and other family members. They will take into consideration whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group, such as the check here National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for attention and impulsivity problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an assessment.

During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The doctor may also seek out someone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can be a long time. The physician will then write a report and discuss the results of the examination with the patient.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that symptoms have to be significant in two major settings such as at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.

During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine if the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria set 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 supported by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.

The following is a list of preventions.

People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. However, their problems can have consequences: they may not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or struggle to keep their job. 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 name recognizes that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom.

While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few differences in how the disorder manifests between 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 makes it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This may include a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person and also standard rating scales used by loved ones and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.

It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to other psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Anyone diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. They should also stay in contact with their physician to ensure that the medication is functioning as it should.

Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular checks with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.