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

ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis Find a licensed mental health specialist or physician psychiatrist or neurologist or family physician who specializes in ADHD assessments and diagnoses The expert will conduct an interview structured to examine your past They may ask for old reports and speak with parents relatives or even friends about childhood behaviors 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 These symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at school home and at work If you or your child is suffering from these symptoms talk to an GP They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner but they can discuss your concerns and recommend you to specialists if required A GP can assist you in determining whether your symptoms are related to ADHD by asking questions looking over your medical history and health records and conducting an examination You can also discuss the history of your familys ADHD to aid in determining the cause The GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation The evaluation may include the description and scales of your symptoms completed by you and your caregivers as well as physical examination laboratory tests and a psychiatric examination adhd diagnosis for adults and psychology can diagnose ADHD among children and adolescents using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association This includes looking for patterns of inattention or hyperactivity that lasts for at least six months and determining if these symptoms significantly interfere with your daily routine at home work and school Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD however their symptoms are likely to manifest 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 are in line with the criteria for diagnosis you can be treated with medication Psychostimulants which affect neurotransmitters in the brain are often prescribed to treat ADHD in adults These drugs improve focus and concentration while increasing energy and alertness They can be prescribed in extendedrelease form to minimize the risk of side effects Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can be treated with antidepressants These medications including Wellbutrin bupropion and Effexor venlafaxine affect neurotransmitters in the brain and enhance mood and focus Diagnosis A diagnosis of ADHD can help you take control of the symptoms that could affect your personal and professional life A psychiatric examination can be conducted by an accredited mental health professional or a physician psychiatrist or neurologist or family physician or another type of medical specialist To receive treatment for ADHD or other disorders a person who has a diagnosis based on symptoms such as ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association During the ADHD evaluation you will be asked questions about your childs behavior at home in school and in social situations They will also review your childs developmental as well as medical history and family history They will then compare your childs behavior to those of children who are their age They could use standardized rating scales that measure the frequency of specific behavioral problems such as difficulty paying attention ignoring things and 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 be present in a variety of settings affect your childs functioning and cause dysfunction and be present for at least six 6 months If your child doesnt meet the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD the healthcare professional will assign them 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 examination could include neuropsychological and psychopsychological testing and computerbased cognitive tests Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical exam and examine your childs heart rate to rule out medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that may mimic ADHD symptoms They may also ask for details about the issue from caregivers and teachers and perform a thorough interview with your child and other family members They will take into consideration whether there is any family history of ADHD since ADHD is highly hereditary Treatment If someone has been identified as having ADHD they may need medication or behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy can include individual and family counseling and group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy To start treatment it is necessary to locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance You can start by contacting your insurance provider 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 area Some doctors use computer programs such as continuous tests of performance to test for problems with attention and impulsivity Other doctors use brain scans such as singlephoton emission computed tomography SPECT to search for abnormalities However experts agree that the most significant part of an evaluation is a patient interview During an interview the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment The doctor might also seek out someone who is very familiar with the patient like their spouse parent or sibling for information 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 an hour or more The physician will then write an evaluation report and then discuss the results of the examination with the patient It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD will depend on the extent to that the symptoms affect the persons everyday life This means that the individuals symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two main situations including home and work For ADHD to be considered a diagnosis the impairment must have been present at least six month During the interview the doctor will review the patients 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 DSM5 A valid diagnosis of ADHD requires at least three of the five symptoms difficulty paying attention to particulars making mistakes and having difficulty focusing on other tasks or activities and trouble listening to someone when they speak Prevention People with inattentive ADHD are usually not 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 perform well in school experience disagreements with their peers or struggle to hold a job These individuals need to be treated too The term ADD is still used occasionally but the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder The newer version is based on the fact that children might only have symptoms of inattention There are differences in the way the disorder is presented by 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 are not diagnosed and receive less treatment A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to make an accurate diagnosis This may include the clinical interview medical history review and a physical examination It also involves reviewing reports by teachers parents teachers or other people who know the patient well as well as standard rating scales completed by loved ones and teachers These are helpful in determining whether the symptoms are present to an extent that they affect the way you function A thorough examination is crucial to determine if the symptoms are caused by another psychiatric or medical condition such as anxiety or depression In some instances the treatment of these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms People who have been diagnosed with the disorder should be aware of what to expect from the treatment they receive and potential adverse effects They should also keep in contact with their doctor or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning in the way they should Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for inattention ADHD They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior Other treatments including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely beneficial for adults and children who suffer from this condition too It is crucial to remind people who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctor regularly since certain patients may require adjustments in dosages or other treatment options