ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Getting an assessment is the first step towards understanding and managing symptoms Find an accredited mental health professional or physician psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses The expert will conduct an interview that is structured to examine your past They may ask for old report cards and speak with parents, relatives or even friends 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 Speak to your GP when you or your child displays these symptoms They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialist services, if needed A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions, reviewing your medical and health records, and performing an examination You may also mention the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis The GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you, your caregivers and teachers, a psychiatric history and physical examination and laboratory 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 They examine for hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity patterns that last for six months or longer and assess whether the symptoms affect your family life, at home at work, at home, and in 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 specific to adults you could be prescribed medication Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters These medications improve focus and concentration, while improving alertness and energy These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to reduce the effects of side effects Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults These medications, such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of symptoms which may be affecting both your personal and professional life A psychiatric examination is conducted by an accredited mental health specialist or physician psychiatrist, neurologist, family doctor or other type of medical specialist A person with a diagnosis based on symptoms, such as ADHD, must meet certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for treatment for ADHD During the ADHD evaluation, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, at school as well as in social situations The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be studied They will then compare your child's behavior against that of other children their age They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems, such as inability to pay attention, ignoring things and 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 a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause dysfunction, and have been present for at least six months If your child doesn't meet the criteria for an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, your healthcare provider may diagnose them with 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 may include neuropsychological and psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and check your child's heart rate to rule out medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or head injuries that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms They might also request an extensive history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members They will also consider whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD it is possible that they will require medication or behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy To start treatment, it is necessary to find a professional who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance Start by contacting your insurer or asking the local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD Some doctors make use of computer programs, like continuous tests of performance, to test for problems with attention and impulsivity Other doctors utilize brain scans, such as single photon emission computed Tomography SPECT to look for abnormalities Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important element of an evaluation During an interview, the physician will go over the symptoms that prompted the appointment The doctor will also seek information from someone who knows the patient very well, such as the spouse, sibling or parent The clinician will also talk to nannies, teachers, coaches and other adults who spend long periods of time with the patient This is a thorough process that could take up to an hour The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the assessment with the patient It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact the person's daily life The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home The impairment must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered an appropriate diagnosis of ADHD During the interview, the doctor will discuss the person's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the person meets the diagnostic criteria set 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 minimum three of the following five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention details, making careless errors or omissions, difficulty staying focused on other tasks or activities, and trouble listening to someone when they speak Prevention Often, people with inattentive ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed They aren't as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often ignored However, their problems can result in consequences they might be unable to perform at school, have a conflict with their peers, or find it difficult to hold their job These people require treatment, too Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/private-adhd-assessment may still be used from time to time but it's not the most common The new definition includes the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own There are some differences in the way the disorder is exhibited 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 makes it more likely that they will go undiagnosed and receive less treatment A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis This may include a clinical interview, medical history review, and a physical examination It includes analyzing reports from teachers, parents, or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, and normative rating scales, both by loved ones and by educators These can be helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety In some cases treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms Those diagnosed with the disorder need be aware of potential side effects and treatment They should also remain in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning as they should The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training People 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