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15 Facts Your Boss Wishes You'd Known About ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Getting a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is proficient in ADHD assessments.

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may want to see old report cards and speak to family members, teachers or classmates about childhood behaviors.

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, work and home. If you or your child exhibit these symptoms, talk to an GP. They can't formally diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.

A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records and completing an examination. You may also provide the history of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by your caregivers, you and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical exam and lab tests.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are able to diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. These include looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms are affecting your life at work, home and school.

Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but 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 requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific, you may be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving concentration and focus. They are available as extended-release versions to reduce side effects. Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated with antidepressants. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, professionally and personally. A psychiatric assessment can be conducted by a licensed mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (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 the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, at school and in social settings. They will also review your child's growth, medical and family history. They will then assess your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children of similar age. They may use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behaviors, like 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 occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six (6) months.

If your child does not meet all of the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for details about the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, it is necessary to locate a specialist who is skilled in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region. Certain doctors utilize computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for attention and impulse control problems. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to look for any abnormalities. But experts agree that the most important 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. undiagnosed adhd in adults will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as siblings, spouses or a parent. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend a lot of time with the patient. It is a long procedure that can last up to an hour. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.

It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD depends on the extent to which the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the person's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at least two main environments, like work and home. The impairment must have been 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 psychiatric history and determine if they are in compliance with the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Assocation's 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 the smallest of details and making careless mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on work or activities, trouble listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted.

Prevention

Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or as impulsive as hyperactive ADHD and are often overlooked. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not perform well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold a job. They also have to be treated with respect.

The term ADD is still used frequently 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 includes the fact that children may suffer from inattentive symptoms alone.

There are differences in the way that 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults with an 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 if the symptoms are severe enough to cause impairment in functioning.

A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help alleviate or eliminate 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 keep in contact with their doctor to ensure that the medication is working as it should.

The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Adults and children with ADHD who are inattentive might benefit from other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. It is crucial 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.

Website: https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment