ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making a diagnosis is the first step to understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They might want to look at old reports and talk to parents, relatives or even friends about childhood behavior.
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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 school, at home and at work. Speak to your GP if you or your child exhibits these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if needed.
A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and conducting physical examination. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychology and psychiatry can help diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They will look for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining if 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 tend to manifest differently as they grow 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 could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders, a person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must adhere to certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During an ADHD evaluation Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at school, at home and in social settings. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with that of other children his 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 more than one setting and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six (6) months.
If your child isn't meeting the requirements 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 assessment can include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. Teachers may also ask and caregivers for a detailed history of your child's development and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as your family. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or a local support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to determine issues with impulse control and attention. Others utilize brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is an interview with the patient.
During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also seek out someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent or sibling for information. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. It is a long process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient.
It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the person's everyday life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major settings, such as home and work. The impairment must have been present for at least six months to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the 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 must be backed by at least three of the five symptom categories: difficulty paying attention to small details and making careless mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms aren't identified. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They may not do well in school, have problems with their peers, or struggle to hold a job. These individuals also need to be treated.
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 version is based on the fact that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.
There are differences between 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 will be undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers parents, teachers or other people who know the person well, as well as normed scales of rating that are completed by family members and educators. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms.
People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medications are functioning exactly as they should.
The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. It is essential to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.
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