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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD evaluations. The specialist will conduct an interview that is designed to look at your past. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behavior. 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 at home. Consult your GP when you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary. A GP can help you determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records and conducting physical examination. You may also mention your family's history of ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms, completed by you and your caregivers, and physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam. 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 examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity behaviors that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms interfere with your life, at home at work, or at school. Adults may also 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 meet the criteria for diagnosis, you may be treated with medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications improve focus and concentration, while increasing alertness and energy. They can be prescribed in extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus. Diagnosis Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric examination can be performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against that of other children his age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavior issues, such as the inability to pay attention, ignoring things and interrupting other people. 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 settings and cause your child to function poorly, and last for six months. If your child does not meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional may 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure, and perform a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They can also ask teachers and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child and family. They will consider whether there is a 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 individual and family counseling and also group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer tests, like continuous performances tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to check for abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient. During the interview, the clinician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also seek information from someone who knows the patient well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that could be a long time. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient. It is crucial to keep in mind that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main settings, such as home and work. To be eligible for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present at least six months. During the interview the clinician will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak. Prevention Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be dismissed. However, their issues can have consequences: they could not perform well at school, get into trouble with peers or have difficulty to hold their job. These individuals must be treated as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most commonly used. The newer definition takes into account that children might only suffer from inattentive symptom. While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are variations in the way that 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 them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health care professional. This includes a medical history review along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well as well as standard rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning. A thorough evaluation is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication adverse effects. Click On this site should also remain in contact with their physician to make sure that the medication is working exactly as it should. Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve 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. It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or other treatment options.