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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing 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 structured to look into your background. They may request old reports and speak to teachers, family members or friends to learn 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 relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your health history and medical records and conducting an examination. You can also mention the background 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 evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your caregivers, along with physical examination, laboratory tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms are affecting your daily routine at home, at work or school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to present 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing energy and alertness. These medications can be administered in extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who present with inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve mood and focus. Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric examination. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must follow certain criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be examined. They will then assess your child's behaviors to those of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things and 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 be present in at least two settings and cause your child to function poorly and last for at least at least six months. If your child isn't meeting the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider 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 thorough psychiatric examination could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to eliminate medical issues like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They can also ask teachers and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview of your child and family. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it 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 also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to locate an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important element of an assessment. During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also request information from someone who knows the patient well like a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will then write a report and discuss the results of the exam with the patient. It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the degree to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. The symptoms have to be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the disorder must have been present at minimum six months. During the interview, a clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient meets 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms that include difficulty paying attention to specifics, making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak. The following is a list with preventions. Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and are often ignored. But their problems do result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or have difficulty to keep a job. These people require treatment, too. 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 have symptoms of inattention. While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself 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 means they are more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This involves a medical history review as well as a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with a good understanding of the person, as well as normative ratings scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to affect functioning. It is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In the advantage , treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are working in the way they should. Stimulant medications are the most common treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the impulsive behavior. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very beneficial for adults and children with this condition too. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctors regularly, as some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.