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

ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to manage symptoms is to obtain a diagnosis Find a licensed mental health professional psychiatrists and neurologists family physicians who is skilled in ADHD assessments The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past They might request old reports and talk to family members teachers or friends to get information about your 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 These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships 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 in a formal way but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required A GP can determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions examining medical records and your health history and then performing physical examination You may also mention the background of ADHD in your family to aid in the diagnosis The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation The evaluation may consist of an explanation of your symptoms as well as questionnaires and scales filled out by you your caregivers and teachers as well as a psychiatric history 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 inattention hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more and assess whether the symptoms interfere with your family life at home at work and in school Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms will likely present differently as they age 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 criteria for diagnosis you could be treated with medication Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults These drugs improve focus and concentration while improving alertness and energy They are available in extendedrelease forms to lessen 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 A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of the symptoms that could affect your professional and personal life A licensed mental health professional psychiatrists or neurologists or family doctors can conduct a psychiatric assessment A person who is diagnosed with a symptombased diagnosis such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to be eligible for treatment for ADHD During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your childs behavior in home school and social environments The medical history of your child as well as family history and development will be studied Then they will compare your childs behavior to that of other children of similar age They could use standardized rating scales that assess the frequency of certain behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention forgetting things and interrupting other children There are Iam Psychiatry 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 more than one setting affect your childs functioning and cause problems and have been present for at least six months If your child is not able to meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD your healthcare provider will assign them an 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 comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can include psychological and neuropsychological tests as well as cognitive tests that are computerbased Your healthcare provider will also assess your childs blood pressure and complete a physical exam to identify any medical issues that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries Austerman 2015 They might also request details about the problem from parents and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and family members They will consider whether there is a family history of ADHD since the condition is highly heritable Treatment If a person has been diagnosed as having ADHD they may need treatment or medication for their behavior Behavioral therapy may include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy To begin treatment you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance You can begin 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 a professional who specialize in ADHD in your region Certain doctors utilize computer tests like continuous performance tests to check for issues with impulse control and attention Other doctors use brain scans such as singlephoton emission computed tomography SPECT to look for signs of abnormalities Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an evaluation During the interview the therapist will go over the symptoms that led up to the appointment The doctor may also ask anyone who is familiar with the patient such as their spouse parent or sibling for information The doctor will also interview teachers coaches nannies and other adults who spend significant time with the patient This is a thorough procedure that can last up to an hour The doctor will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the findings of the examination with the patient It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to that the symptoms affect the persons daily life The symptoms have to be significant in two important settings like at work and at home In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at least six months During the interview the clinician will review the patients medical and mental health 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 5th Edition Text Revision DSM5 A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the following five symptoms difficulty paying attention to specifics making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities and trouble listening to someones voice when they speak Prevention People with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed Theyre not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be ignored Their issues can have serious consequences They may not do well in school experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to keep jobs These people need to be treated too Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the official name of the condition The term ADD can be occasionally used but its not the most popular The newer version recognizes that children might only be suffering from an inattention symptom 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 hyperactiveimpulsive symptoms This makes them more likely to go undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional This involves an examination of the medical history a clinical interview and a physical exam It also involves reviewing the reports of teachers parents teachers or other people who know the person and also standard rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers These can assist in determining whether the symptoms are present to a degree that they affect the way you function It is essential to conduct a thorough assessment to determine if the symptoms are due to another medical or psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety In some instances treatment of other disorders can aid in reducing or eliminating 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 contact with their physician or nurse to make sure that the medication is working as they should Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment of inattentive ADHD They can improve concentration and decrease impulsive behavior Adults and children suffering from ADHD with inattentiveness might benefit from other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or parent training It is important to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly as certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or alternative treatment options

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