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10 Top Facebook Pages That I've Ever Seen. ADHD Diagnoses
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses

Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step in understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists and neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.

The specialist will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might request old reports and talk to your family members, teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behavior.

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 cause issues with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. If you or your child have these symptoms, talk to an GP. They're not able to definitively diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if necessary.

A GP can determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and performing physical exam. You can also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms, questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers, you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical exam and lab tests.

Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They examine for hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your life at home at work, or in school.

Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner however, their symptoms tend to manifest differently as they get older. 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 typically prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to minimize side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattention symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family doctors) can conduct a psychiatric examination. A person with a symptom-based diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.

During the ADHD evaluation, you'll be asked questions about your child’s behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. They will then compare your child's behavior against the behavior of other children their age. They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as difficulty in 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, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six 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 an 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 evaluation could include computer-based cognitive and psychological tests as well as psychological and neuropsychological tests. Your doctor will check your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination of the body to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request details about the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They'll also be looking into whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy includes family and individual counseling, and group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step in getting treatment is to locate an specialist in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurer or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to detect abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an assessment.

During an interview, the doctor will discuss the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The clinician may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The doctor will also speak with teachers, coaches, nannies and other adults that spend much time with the patient. This is a very thorough procedure that can take an hour or more. The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the results of the assessment with the patient.

It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms impact a person's life. The symptoms must be significantly affecting two main settings, such as at work and at home. In order for ADHD to be recognized the condition must have been present at least six month.

During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Society'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 these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty in staying focused on tasks or activities or tasks, difficulty in listening to what you are being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.

Prevention


Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms aren't diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive kinds of ADHD and can be easily ignored. But visit the next document do result in consequences: they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with classmates or find it difficult to keep a job. These individuals also need to be treated.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD can be occasionally used, but it is not the most common. The newer name recognizes that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.

While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are variations in the way that the disorder manifests 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 them more likely to not be diagnosed, and less likely to receive treatment.

An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional. This includes an examination of the medical history, a clinical interview, and physical examination. It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers, parents or other adults who know the person well as well as standard rating scales completed by loved ones and educators. These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that affects functioning.

It is important to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue such as depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of the potential side effects and treatment. They should also keep contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are working as they should.

The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs that can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and parent training, can be very efficient for both adults and children with this condition as well. Those who are prescribed ADHD medications should also be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health care providers, as some patients require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.

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