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ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding a diagnosis is the first step in understanding and managing symptoms. Find an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, family physician) who is specialized in ADHD assessments and diagnoses. The specialist will conduct an interview designed to look at your past. They might request old reports and speak to your family members, teachers or your friends to find out about your 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 cause issues with relationships and learning at home, school and at work. Consult your GP if you or your child is showing these symptoms. They can't formally diagnose ADHD but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you to specialists, if required. A GP will be able to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical records and your medical history, and then performing physical exam. You may also discuss the history of ADHD in your family to help with the diagnosis. The GP will 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, as well as physical examination, lab tests and a psychiatric exam. Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children by using established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. This includes looking for a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, which lasts for six months or more and determining whether these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home, at work or school. Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner, but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow 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 match the criteria for diagnosis, you could be treated with medication. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These medications help improve concentration and focus, while improving alertness and energy. They may be given as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor alter neurotransmitters and can improve mood and concentration. Diagnosis Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that could be affecting your daily life, both professionally and personally. A psychiatric evaluation is conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor or other type of medical specialist). To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a diagnosis based on symptoms (such as ADHD) must follow certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. During an ADHD evaluation, your healthcare provider will inquire regarding your child's behavior in the home, school and social environments. They will also go over your child's developmental, medical and family history. Then, they will compare your child's behavior with the behavior of other children their age. They can use standard ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about things, and interrupting others. 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 be present in at least two settings that cause your child to perform poorly and last for at least six months. If your child doesn't meet the requirements 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 comprehensive psychiatric assessment can include tests for psychological and cognitive abilities that are computer-based as well as psychological and neuropsychological testing. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure and complete an examination of the body to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms like thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is any history of ADHD in the family, since it is highly heritable. Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling, as in addition to group therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The first step to get treatment is to locate an expert in diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. Start by contacting your insurance company or a local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your area. Certain doctors utilize computer programs, like continuous tests for performance, to look for impulsivity and attention issues. Others utilize brain scans, for instance single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to search for signs of abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most crucial component of an evaluation. During an interview, the physician will review the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also request anyone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent, or sibling for information. The clinician will also interview 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 an evaluation report and then discuss the results with the patient. It is essential to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to that the symptoms affect the individual's daily activities. This means that the patient's symptoms must cause significant impairment in at minimum two major environments, like the workplace and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis of ADHD. During the interview, a clinician will go over the patient's medical and psychiatric history, and determine if the patient meets 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 must be supported by at least three of these five symptoms: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty staying focused on activities or tasks and difficulty listening when spoken to and daydreaming or appearing distracted. Prevention In many cases, people who have inattention ADHD symptoms don't get diagnosed. They're not as disruptive or impulsive as people with hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed. Their problems can have serious consequences. They may not do well in school, have disagreements with their peers or struggle to find a job. These people also need to be treated. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition. The term ADD is still occasionally used but it's not the most commonly used. The newer definition takes into account the fact that children could be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own. While many of the symptoms are present in all cases, there are some differences in how the disorder presents itself 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 it more likely that they are not diagnosed and receive less treatment. A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include an examination of the medical history as well as a clinical interview and a physical exam. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults with a good knowledge of the individual, as well as normative ratings scales completed both by family members and educators. These are useful in determining if the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning. It is important to conduct a thorough examination in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. In some instances, treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms. Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what is expected of the treatment and possible side effects. They should also keep in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should. The most common treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. adhd diagnosis uk adults and children with inattentive ADHD may benefit from other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training. Those who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to have regular checks with their health professionals, as some patients require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.