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

ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step in managing symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis 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 may request old reports and speak to family members teachers or friends to learn about your childhood behavior Signs and 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 adhd diagnose can also interfere with relationships and learning at work school and home If you or your child exhibit these symptoms talk to an GP They are unable to diagnose ADHD formally but can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists when needed A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions reviewing your health history and medical records and conducting an examination You can also discuss the history of your familys ADHD to aid in the diagnosis The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination The evaluation may consist of the description of your symptoms questionnaires and scales completed by your caregivers you and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment physical exam and lab tests Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children 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 assess whether the symptoms impact your daily life at home at work or at school Adults may be diagnosed with ADHD in the same way however 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 you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are adultspecific You may be prescribed medication Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters These medications improve concentration and focus while increasing alertness and energy These medications can be administered in extendedrelease versions to reduce side effects Adults who present with inattentive ADHD might be treated with antidepressants These drugs like Wellbutrin and Effexor affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control of symptoms which may be affecting both your professional and personal life A licensed mental health professional psychiatrists or neurologists as well as family doctors can conduct a psychiatric evaluation To receive treatment for ADHD someone with a symptom based diagnosis such as ADHD must meet certain guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association During the ADHD evaluation youll be asked questions about your childs behavior at home at school as well as in social situations Your childs medical history and development history as well as the family history will be reviewed They will then assess your childs behaviors to the behaviors of other children who are of similar age They may use standardized rating scales to measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems like difficulty paying attention forgetting things or interrupting others 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 occur in a variety of settings and affect your childs performance and cause disruption and have been present for at least six months If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria needed to be diagnosed 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 thorough psychiatric assessment may include neuropsychological and psychological testing and cognitive tests that are computerbased Your healthcare provider will also assess your childs blood pressure and complete an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be related to ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries Austerman 2015 They might also request a detailed history of the issue from parents and teachers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members They will consider whether there is an ancestral history of ADHD because the condition is highly genetically inherited Treatment If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD he or she might require medication andor behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy may include family and individual counseling as in addition to group therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy CBT and dialectical behavior therapy DBT To begin treatment you need to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance You can begin by contacting your insurance provider or asking your local mental health support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of professionals in your area who specialize in ADHD Some doctors employ computer tests like continuous performances tests to test for issues with impulse control and attention Some doctors also use brain scans such as single photon emission computed Tomography SPECT to look for abnormalities However experts agree that the most significant element of an examination is a patient interview During an interview the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment The clinician will also seek information from someone who is familiar with the patient well such as siblings spouses or a parent The clinician will also talk to teachers or coaches nannies and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient This is a very thorough process and can take up to an hour The physician will then write an assessment report and discuss the findings of the examination with the patient It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is based on how the symptoms interfere with a persons life This means that the symptoms have to be significant in two important settings like at work and at home In order for ADHD to be diagnosed the disorder must have been present at minimum six months During the interview the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and mental health history and determine if they satisfy the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Assocations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM5 A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms such as difficulty paying attention specifics making erroneous mistakes and having difficulty focusing on work or other activities and trouble listening to someone when they speak Prevention Most people with inattentional ADHD symptoms arent diagnosed Theyre not as disruptive or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and are often dismissed Their issues can have serious consequences They may not do well in school have problems with their peers or struggle to keep jobs These people also need to be treated The term ADD is still used occasionally however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM defines the condition as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder The newer version is based on the fact that children may only be suffering from an inattention symptom While many of the symptoms are common to all instances there are differences in how 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 increases the likelihood that they will go undiagnosed and less likely to receive treatment A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a health care professional This may include the clinical interview medical history review and a physical examination It includes analyzing reports from parents teachers or other adults who have a good knowledge of the individual and normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers These are helpful in determining if the symptoms are present to an extent that affects functioning A thorough evaluation is essential to determine if symptoms are caused by a different medical or psychiatric condition like anxiety or depression In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will help relieve or eliminate the ADHD symptoms People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect in terms of the treatment and possible side effects They should also remain in contact with their doctor to make sure that the medication is functioning as it should The most commonly used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant drugs which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior Adults and children suffering from ADHD who are inattentive may benefit from other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy or parent training It is essential to remind those prescribed ADHD medication to visit their doctor regularly since some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options