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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment

ADHD Evaluation What Happens in the First Step A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and people close to you a spouse sibling or friend for adults about their symptoms This will provide information that questionnaires are not able to provide Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood can be a challenge as diagnostic guidelines are targeted at children It is essential to find an ADHD specialist who is willing to evaluate you Symptoms To conduct an ADHD assessment the initial step is to allow the patient to discuss openly and honestly about symptoms and how they impact his life Adults may not want admit that they struggle with paying attention following instructions or organizing tasks However getting an accurate diagnosis will help you control symptoms and lead a healthier life The evaluator will ask the person to tell them about their medical history and personal life from childhood until now The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric Associations guidelines for treating this disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM5 To meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD an adult must have a history of at least six established symptoms in one or both of two main categoriesinattention or hyperactivityimpulsivityfor six months The symptoms must have led to significant impairments in at minimum two crucial settings such as school or at work Additionally getting a adhd diagnosis must rule out any other conditions that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD such as anxiety depression or an intellectual impairment In addition to an interview a physician may utilize behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptoms checklists to collect information regarding the severity of the symptoms Psychological tests that test working memory executive functioning abilities and spatial and visual reasoning are useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults Doctors can ask permission based on the circumstance to reach out to family members or friends who can provide valuable information and help For example they might ask for the names of spouses parents or siblings to interview them about the persons struggles at home and at work A physical exam is often part of an ADHD evaluation since it can help identify other conditions that could cause similar symptoms In some cases thyroid issues and seizures may mimic the symptoms of ADHD The evaluator may also conduct a neurological exam to determine if there is any sign of damage or injury to the brain that could explain the symptoms The evaluator may also recommend urine and blood tests to check for the presence of any other conditions that could interfere with treatment like depression or alcohol and addiction Diagnosis When diagnosing ADHD your doctor will look for symptoms that manifest in various settings like at home school or work The symptoms must last for a long period of time The doctor will then determine how much your symptoms impact your everyday activities If they cause a lot of trouble its likely that you or your child will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of either inattentive or hyperactiveimpulsive ADHD To diagnose children doctors follow the guidelines of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSMV They will examine your childs symptoms and how they impact their lives They might also conduct an interview The interview will cover your childs medical history family history and psychiatric history You will be asked questions about your childs daily mood and behavior as well as their productivity For adults it is more difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis The DSMV symptom guide is geared toward diagnosing children and there is some debate over whether these criteria apply to adulthood To meet the criteria for a diagnosis an adult must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentive ADHD or 7 or more symptoms of hyperactiveimpulsive ADHD These symptoms must be present for a long duration and affect everyday functioning at work school or home In addition to conducting a clinical interview your doctor could conduct additional tests to determine the extent of your or the childs symptoms This could include tests for blood or EEG test Other tests can be used to rule out the cause of similar symptoms for example learning disabilities or depression The suggestion of asking your family physician to refer you to an expert who will evaluate your ADHD or the ADHD of your child is an excellent place to begin You can also contact your insurance provider to see whether there are any specialists that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults You can also reach out to a local group of support and request recommendations You can also call the medical school or university hospital to request a list of professionals that conduct ADHD evaluations Treatment ADHD symptoms can cause serious problems at work and at school and can cause problems with relationships If you are diagnosed with ADHD taking medication and enhancing your functioning can help reduce symptoms Patients with ADHD also may need to change their lifestyle for example adjusting the time of their sleep or using a daily planner or increasing exercise A person suffering from ADHD needs to be evaluated by their primary care physician or an expert in mental health In this inperson consultation the practitioner will cover topics including development as well as family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and problems The practitioner will ask about the persons performance productivity and if they are having issues with impulsive or focusfocused actions They will ask about the duration of the symptoms when they began and from where and the amount of distress they cause The evaluator might want to talk to other people who are who are involved in the patients everyday life including spouses parents siblings teachers coaches daycare providers or family members These people often provide insight that questionnaires cannot for example the reasons why a person might stop tasks halfway or forgets things and what circumstances trigger symptoms ADHD is treated by a variety of behavioral therapies and medications Medications may include stimulants like amphetamine or nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine Serenade and dexamfetamine Vyvanse These drugs increase blood circulation to the brain suppress impulsedriven behavior and permit people to pay more focus and follow instructions These drugs can be administered intravenously or orally and they are generally welltolerated In addition to medications therapy can also help those with ADHD develop strategies to compensate for their challenges Therapists can assist people with learning techniques to manage their lives and track their appointments and provide assistance and guidance when dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on family and work Family therapy and marriage counseling can help address problems caused by the disorder in relationships as well as teaching strategies for dealing with conflict and discord that could be triggered in these situations Medication To determine if your child has ADHD A medical professional needs to consider many factors They will inquire about your childs behavior at home in school and in other settings They will also use questionnaires and scales that are specific to ADHD They may also inquire about the history of their family They will also check for other conditions that may explain the symptoms such as learning disabilities and mood disorders They will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and if they affect your childs life There is no physical test for ADHD such as a blood test or an Xray Your childs healthcare provider follows guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD These guidelines are designed for children between 4 and 18 years of age Adults are more difficult to diagnose This is because the symptoms can change over time People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive predominately hyperactiveimpulsive or a combination of the two A child must exhibit at least six of the symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed with ADHD The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months If your child is being evaluated for ADHD it is essential that someone who is familiar with them conducts an interview This includes their teachers as well as coaches religious leaders and other caregivers They should also be informed about how their symptoms affect their daily functioning and how they compare to other children of their age Medication is the most common form of treatment for ADHD There are stimulant as well as nonstimulant medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms The stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed These medications help to increase and balance levels of specific brain chemicals Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are medications that can help treat ADHD They work slower than stimulants however they are beneficial for people who are unable to use stimulant medications due to health problems or severe side effects Medications can be used in combination with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy