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

The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past. They might want to look at old report cards and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about 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 also interfere with relationships and learning at school, at home and at work. Consult your GP in the event that you or your child displays these symptoms. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if needed.

A GP can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, looking over your medical history and health records, and performing physical examination. You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to help with diagnosis. The GP can then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to complete a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation could include an explanation and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers along with a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.

Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by following established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. They will look for an inattention pattern, hyperactivity and impulsivity that lasts for a period of six months or more and determining whether these symptoms have a significant impact on your daily life at home, work and school.

Adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD however the symptoms of ADHD will likely 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 you meet the requirements for diagnosis and your symptoms are adult-specific you could be prescribed medication. Psychostimulants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs improve concentration and focus, while increasing alertness and energy. These medications can be administered in extended-release form to minimize the risk of side effects. Antidepressants are often employed to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine), affect neurotransmitters in the brain and improve focus and mood.

Diagnosis


A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of your symptoms that could affect your professional and personal lives. A psychiatric examination is performed by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with an underlying symptom-based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain criteria 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, in school and in social settings. They will also go over your child's growth medical history and family history. They will then evaluate your child's behaviors to the behavior of other children who are similar to them. They can use standard rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behaviors, such as 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 and affect your child's performance and cause problems, and have been present for at least six months.

If your child is not able to meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD, your healthcare provider 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 assessment could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological testing, and computer-based cognitive tests. Your doctor will assess your child's blood pressure and complete an examination to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). They may also ask teachers and parents for a thorough history of your child's development 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, as it is highly heritable.

Treatment

If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD the person may require medication or behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy could include individual and family counseling, as well as group therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). To begin treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or the local mental health support group like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD, for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors use computer-based tests, like continuous performance tests, to check for issues with impulse control and attention. Others use brain scans, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. But experts agree that the most significant element of an evaluation is a patient-patient interview.

During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The doctor may also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient, like their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also talk to teachers, coaches, nannies and other professionals who spend much time with the patient. This is a lengthy process and can take an hour or more. The doctor will write a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to which the symptoms impact the person's daily life. This means that the patient's symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two major environments, like home and work. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present for at minimum six months.

During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine whether or not the patient is in compliance with the diagnostic criteria established 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 such as difficulty paying attention particulars, making mistakes, difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities, and difficulty listening to someone when they speak.

Prevention

Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They aren't as disruptive as hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and are often ignored. However, their problems can result in consequences: they might not perform well at school, get into trouble with classmates or find it difficult to find an occupation. They need to be treated, as well.

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 is based on the fact that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom.

There are differences between the way the disorder is presented by 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 increases the likelihood that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment.

A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis. adhd in adults undiagnosed includes a clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It also involves reviewing reports by teachers, parents or other adults who know the person, as well as normed ratings scales that are that are completed by family members and teachers. These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning.

A careful evaluation is also essential to determine if symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety. In some instances treatment of other disorders can help to alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.

Anyone diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is working exactly as they should.

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