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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family doctors) who is experienced in ADHD assessments.
The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask for old report cards and speak to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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 at home. Consult your GP when you or your child exhibits these symptoms. diagnosing adhd in adults can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP can determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your health history, and conducting an examination. You can also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. This includes looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for at least six months and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, work and school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however, their symptoms are more likely to 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 could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while increasing energy and alertness. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your professional and personal life. A psychiatric assessment can be performed by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school and in social settings. The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against those of children who are their age. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavior 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 a variety of settings and affect your child's performance and cause disruption and be present for at least six months.
If your child does not meet all the criteria needed to be diagnosed 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also assess your child's blood pressure and complete a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also request details about the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD the person may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. 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 the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance company or a local support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine problems with attention and impulse control. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most crucial element of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.
During the interview, the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also seek details from someone who knows the patient very well for example, a spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend long periods of time with the patient. This is a thorough process and can be a long time. The clinician will complete the report, and then discuss the results with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two main settings, such as at work and at home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD.
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 Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's voice when they speak.
The following is a list with preventions.
Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They might not do well at school, have 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition is based on the fact that children could suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.
While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few variations in the way that the disorder manifests 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.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. This may include an interview with a clinician, a medical history review and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators. These can assist in determining if the symptoms are present in a way that they affect the way you function.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness like depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
People who are diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep in touch with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medication is working as they should.
The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Children and adults with ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.
