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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding an assessment is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation. The expert will conduct an interview structured to review your past. They may ask for old reports and speak to teachers, relatives or friends about childhood behaviors. 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 interfere with relationships and learning at school, home and work. Consult your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They are unable to diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed. A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, reviewing medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. You can also discuss the history of your family members with ADHD to aid in the diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and determine if these symptoms affect your life, at home, at work, and in school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD however, their symptoms will likely 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 your adult symptoms are in line with the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications increase energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They may be given in extended-release forms to lessen side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD may be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may affect your personal and professional life. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric assessment. A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD, must meet specific guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior at home, school and social settings. They will also go over your child's development as well as medical and family history. They will then compare your child's behavior with that of other children their age. They can use standard rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems such as difficulty in paying 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 at least two settings that cause your child to perform poorly and last for a minimum of six months. If your child isn't meeting 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 thorough psychiatric examination can include psychological and neuropsychological tests, as well as computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). I Am Psychiatry may also ask for details about the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also look into whether there is a history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly inheritable. Treatment If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling, as also group therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step in getting treatment is to find an specialist in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health 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 make use of computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Others use brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an evaluation. During the interview, the doctor will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment. The clinician will also seek information from someone who knows the patient well for example, siblings, spouses or a parent. The doctor will also interview teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a lengthy procedure that could take up to an hour. The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient. It is extremely important to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major environments, like work and home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they are in compliance with 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 must be supported by at least three of the five symptoms: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making careless mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks, trouble listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or seeming distracted. The following is a list of preventatives. People with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive as the hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and are often ignored. However, their issues can result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with peers or have difficulty to find their job. These individuals must be treated as well. The term ADD is still used infrequently however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition takes into account the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. While many of the symptoms are present in all instances, there are 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 makes it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a health care professional. This includes an examination of the medical history along with a medical interview, and physical examination. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person and also standard scales of rating used by loved ones and teachers. These can be useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to other psychiatric or medical condition, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms. Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment and possible side effects. They should also remain in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should. Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattention ADHD. They can improve concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too. Patients who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to seek regular check-ups with their health care providers since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.