ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

The first step to manage symptoms is to receive a diagnosis. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses.

The specialist will conduct a structured interview to examine your background. They may ask to see old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your 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 cause problems with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms, consult an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD in a formal way, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed.

A GP can assist you in determining if your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your health history and medical records and completing an examination. It is also possible to mention the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could include a description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your family members, along with physical examination, lab tests, and a psychiatric examination.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. These include looking for an inattention pattern or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school.

Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These medications, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) alter the brain's neurotransmitters and enhance mood and focus.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards taking control of symptoms that could be affecting your life both personally and professionally. A psychiatric examination is conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor, or any other kind of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. The medical history of your child, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then assess your child's behavior with the behavior of other children their age. They may use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behaviors, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetting things or 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 occur in a variety of settings that affect your child's behavior and cause problems and be present for at least six months.

If your child doesn't meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a website hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.

A thorough psychiatric assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough interview with your child and family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly genetically inherited.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy includes individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. The first step to get treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of 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 professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors make use of computer programs, such as continuous tests of performance, to test for impulsivity and attention issues. Others use brain scans, like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient interview.

During the interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also ask for details from someone who knows the patient well, such as a spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. 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 the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact a person's life. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two major environments, like home and work. For ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present for at least six months.

During the interview, the clinician will discuss the person'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 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making 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 of preventions.

People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored. The issues they face can have severe consequences. They might not do well at school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. These people must be treated 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 definition takes into account the fact that children may be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.

While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are a few distinct ways in which the disorder presents 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 makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes an interview with a clinician, a medical history review, and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the patient well as well as standard scales of rating that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function.

A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different psychiatric or medical condition like anxiety or depression. In some cases, treating other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Anyone who have been diagnosed with the disorder should to be aware of possible side effects and treatment. They should also keep in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working in the way it should.

Stimulant medications are the most popular treatment for inattention ADHD. They can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.