ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family doctors) who is skilled in ADHD assessments.
The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They might request old reports and talk to family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your childhood behavior.
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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. The symptoms also may interfere with learning and relationships at school, work and at home. If you or your child have these symptoms, consult an GP. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical records and your medical history, and conducting a physical exam. It is also possible to provide the background of ADHD in your family members to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory 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. This includes looking for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at work, home and school.
Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants to affect neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, as well as increasing alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can affect neurotransmitters in the brain to enhance mood and focus.
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 examination can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has 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 assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school, and in social situations. They will also review your child's developmental, medical and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behavior to those of other children who are similar to them. They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavior problems, such as difficulty paying attention, ignoring 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 make your child perform poorly and last for at least at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them an 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 evaluation could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). Teachers may also ask and parents for a thorough background and conduct an extensive interview with your child as well as your family. They'll also be looking into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, as it is highly heritable.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling and group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. To start treatment, you need to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or asking the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Certain doctors utilize computer tests, such as continuous performance tests, to determine attention and impulse control problems. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important element of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the therapist will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent. The doctor will also interview teachers or coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a very thorough process that could take an hour or more. The clinician will then complete an assessment report and discuss the findings of the exam with the patient.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the degree to which the symptoms interfere with the individual's daily activities. This means that the individual's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major environments, like home and work. In https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at least six months.
During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the patient meets 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 requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes or omissions, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone's words when they speak.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to find an occupation. These people require treatment, as well.
The term ADD is still used infrequently, but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer name recognizes that children may only suffer from inattentive symptom.
There are differences in the way the disorder is presented by 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 increases the likelihood that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This involves an assessment of medical history along with a medical interview, and a physical exam. It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with a good understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones and by educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some instances the treatment of these other disorders can alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential side effects. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are working in the way they should.
Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD. They can help improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis, as some patients may need adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.
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