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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses Finding a diagnosis is the first step towards understanding and addressing symptoms Find an accredited mental health professional or physician psychiatrist or neurologist family physician who is specialized in ADHD evaluations and diagnoses The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past They may ask for old reports and speak to teachers relatives or friends about childhood behaviors Symptoms Children and adults who have symptoms of attentiondeficithyperactivity disorder ADHD often have trouble with paying close attention listening attentively and following directionsthings that come naturally to others The symptoms also may interfere with relationships and learning at work school and home If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms consult a GP They are not able to diagnose ADHD formally but can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists when needed A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are linked to ADHD by asking questions reviewing your health history and medical records and performing a physical exam It is also possible to mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in diagnosis The GP can then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric evaluation The evaluation could include an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by your caregivers you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment physical exam and lab tests Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association They look for hyperactivity inattention and impulsivity patterns that last for at least six months and evaluate whether these symptoms interfere with your life at home at work and in school Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they get older They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder a predominantly hyperactiveimpulsive presentation or a combination of both If your adult symptoms meet the requirements for diagnosis you could be treated with 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 extendedrelease form to lessen the effects of side effects Antidepressants can be employed to treat the inattention presentation of ADHD in adults These medications such as Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration Diagnosis Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to taking control of symptoms that may be affecting your life both personally and professionally A psychiatric assessment is performed by a licensed mental health professional or physician psychiatrist or neurologist or family doctor or any other kind 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 the ADHD assessment you will be asked questions about your childs behavior at home at school and in social settings The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be examined They will then evaluate your childs behavior with the behavior of other children of similar age They may use standardized ratings scales to gauge the frequency of certain behavior problems such as inability to pay attention ignoring things or interrupting other people There are three presentations of ADHD predominately inattentive hyperactiveimpulsive and combined To be diagnosed with ADHD your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactiveimpulsive categories They must be present in a variety of settings affect your childs functioning and cause disruption and have been present for at least six months If your child isnt meeting 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 hyperactiveimpulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis A complete psychiatric examination may include computerbased cognitive and psychological tests and psychological and neuropsychological tests Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and check your childs heart rate to determine if there are medical issues like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may be similar to ADHD symptoms They might also request an extensive history of the problem from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child as well as family members They will also consider whether there is any family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary Treatment If someone has been diagnosed with ADHD he or she might require medication or behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling and also group therapy like dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy The first step in getting treatment is to locate an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance Start by contacting your insurer or a local support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI or CHADD to find professionals who specialize in ADHD in your region Certain doctors utilize computer tests such as continuous performances tests to check for issues with impulse control and attention Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography SPECT to check for abnormalities Experts agree that the patients interview is the most important component of an evaluation During an interview the clinician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment The doctor might also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse parent or sibling for details The clinician will also talk to nannies teachers coaches and other adults who spend a lot of time with the patient This is a very thorough process that could take up to an hour The doctor will write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings with the patient It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the degree to which the symptoms impact the persons everyday life diagnosing adhd in adults means that symptoms have to be significantly affecting two important settings like at work and at home For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the condition must have been present for at least six month During the interview the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM5 A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be backed by at least three of these five symptoms trouble paying close attention to specifics and making mistakes difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities trouble listening when talking to others and daydreaming or appearing to be distracted Prevention People who have inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed They arent as disruptive as those with hyperactive or impulsive types of ADHD and can be easily ignored But their problems do have consequences they may not perform well at school get into trouble with peers or struggle to keep a job They must be treated too 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder The newer version recognizes that children can have symptoms of inattention While many of the symptoms are present in all instances there are distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself between boys and girls Girls and children assigned female at birth AFAB tend to show more inattentive symptoms which are less noticeable than the hyperactiveimpulsive symptoms This makes it more likely that they go undiagnosed and receive less treatment An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional This includes the clinical interview medical history review and a physical examination It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents or other adults who know the patient well and also standard ratings scales that are completed by loved ones and educators These can be helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to a degree that impacts the functioning A careful evaluation is also crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by a different medical or mental illness such as depression or anxiety In some cases treating these other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects They should also remain in touch with their doctor to ensure that the medication is functioning exactly as it should The most popular treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior Other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and parent education are very efficient for both adults and children with this condition too It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor on a regular basis as some patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options