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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, family physicians) who is skilled in ADHD assessments. The specialist will conduct an interview structured to examine your past. They may request old reports, and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behavior. 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, home and at work. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, consult an GP. They cannot diagnose ADHD formally, but can discuss your concerns and recommend 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 physical examination. It is also possible to discuss the history of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation may include a description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory tests. Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your family life, at home at work, or in school. Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to manifest 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 meet the requirements for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, as well as improving focus and concentration. They may be given as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Adults with inattention ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could be affecting both your personal and professional life. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who is diagnosed with a symptom-based diagnosis, such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD. During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school, and in social situations. Your child's medical history and development history, as well as the family history will be studied. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior against the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or interrupting other people. 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 more than one setting, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them 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 testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also perform a physical examination and examine your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be similar to ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for details about the issue from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child and family members. They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD, as ADHD is highly hereditary. Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require treatment with medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapy, such as 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. Start by contacting your insurer or a local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for problems with attention and impulsivity. Some doctors also use brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient's interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During an interview, the physician will discuss the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor will also request information from someone who knows the patient well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend a lot of time with the patient. This is a thorough process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will prepare a report, and discuss the results with the patient. It is vital to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a person's life. This means that the individual's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, like work and home. The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, the doctor will review the patient's medical and mental health history and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with 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 following five symptoms: difficulty paying attention to particulars, making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on tasks or other activities, and trouble listening to someone's words when they speak. The following is a list of preventatives. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not perform well in school, experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. They also have 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 an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition takes into account the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. There are some differences in the manner in which the disorder is exhibited 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 go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a medical professional. This includes an assessment of medical history, a clinical interview, and a physical exam. It is also a matter of reviewing reports from teachers or parents, or other adults who know the person well and also standard ratings scales that are used by loved ones and educators. These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning. It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are related to another medical or psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. In some cases the treatment of these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. People who have been diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also stay in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning as they should. The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very beneficial for adults and children with this condition as well. It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly, since some patients may need adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options.