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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment
ADHD Evaluation What Happens in the First Step A healthcare professional evaluating ADHD will interview you and those closest to you your spouse sibling or friend if youre an adult about your symptoms This can provide insights that questionnaires dont The process of diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is a bit more difficult because the guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children It is crucial to locate an ADHD specialist who will take the time to evaluate your situation Signs and symptoms To conduct an ADHD assessment the initial step is to have the patient be honest and open about symptoms and how they impact his life Adults might not want to admit that they struggle with paying attention following instructions or organizing tasks But getting a precise diagnosis will help you control symptoms and lead a healthier life The evaluator asks the person to share their medical and personal history from childhood to the present The evaluator will also review the American Psychiatric Associations clinical guidelines for the disorder which are found 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 Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two major environments such as school or at work The evaluator should also rule out any other conditions which can cause similar symptoms to ADHD such as depression anxiety or intellectual impairment A doctor can also employ ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales in addition to an interview to collect information about the severity of symptoms Psychological tests that test working memory executive functioning abilities and spatial and visual reasoning can be useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults Doctors may request permission depending on the situation to contact family members or friends who could offer valuable insight and support They might ask for the names and contact information of parents spouses or siblings to speak with them about the persons challenges at home and at work A physical exam is typically part of an ADHD evaluation since it can help rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms In certain instances thyroid issues and seizures may mimic the symptoms of ADHD The evaluator can also perform an examination of the brain to determine if there are any signs of brain injury or damage which could cause the symptoms The evaluator might also recommend blood and urine tests to evaluate for the presence of any other conditions that might hinder treatment like depression alcohol or addiction Diagnosis Your doctor will be able to examine symptoms that can be seen in different settings like at home work or school The symptoms must also persist for a long time The doctor will then assess the extent to which 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 Doctors use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition to diagnose children They will examine your childs symptoms and how they affect their lives They may also conduct a clinical interview The interview will consist of a review of your childs medical family psychiatric and medical history They will also inquire about the impact of your childs behavior on their daily mood behaviors and productivity For adults its difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis The DSMV is a diagnostic tool designed for children There is some debate as to whether the criteria are still applicable to adults 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 daily functioning at work school or at home Apart from conducting a medical interview your doctor could request other tests to determine the extent of your your childs symptoms This could include a blood or EEG test Other tests can help rule out conditions that are producing the same symptoms as depression or learning disabilities To find an expert to assess your childs ADHD you can start by asking your doctor for the referral You can also call your insurance provider to see if there are professionals covered under your plan who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults Another option is to contact an organization that supports local residents and request recommendations diagnosing adhd can also contact a medical school or universitybased hospital to get a list of professionals that provide ADHD evaluations Treatment Symptoms of ADHD can cause serious problems at school and at work and can affect relationships Getting a diagnosis and taking medication can help improve performance and lessen symptoms People suffering from ADHD may also need to alter their lifestyles such as altering their sleep schedules using daily planners or increasing exercise A person suffering from ADHD needs to be evaluated by their primary care physician or a mental health professional During this inperson interview the practitioner will cover topics including development family and lifestyle history and present symptoms and concerns The doctor will ask questions about the patients performance behavior and productivity and if they have issues with impulsive or focused actions Theyll be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have been going on when and where they first began and how much distress or problems they can cause The evaluator might want to speak to other people involved in the patients daily life including parents spouses siblings teachers coaches daycare providers or friends These people can offer insights that questionnaires cannot be able to provide for instance the fact that a person often fails to remember or stops doing tasks during the course of a task They can also reveal what situations trigger symptoms Many behavioral therapies and medications are used to treat ADHD The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine as well as nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine Serenade and dexamfetamine Vyvanse These drugs increase the flow of blood to the brain and suppress the impulse to act that allow people to be attentive and follow instructions They can be administered either orally or intravenously and are generally welltolerated Therapy can help people with ADHD come up with strategies to deal with the challenges they experience Therapists can help people learn how to organize their lives and track their appointments as well as provide support and guidance in dealing with the effects of ADHD symptoms on home and work Family and marriage therapy can help address problems caused by the disorder of relationships and teach strategies for dealing with conflict and discord that could be triggered in these situations Medication To allow a medical professional to identify ADHD it is necessary to evaluate several things They will ask about your childs behavior at home at schools and elsewhere They will also use scales and questionnaires that are specific to ADHD They may also inquire about the history of their family They will also look for other conditions that may explain the symptoms such as mood disorders and learning disabilities They will also determine how severe the symptoms are and if they impact your childs daily life There is no physical test that can diagnose ADHD This includes Xrays and blood tests The healthcare provider for your child follows guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD These guidelines are for children between the ages of 4 and 18 Adults are more difficult to identify This is due to the fact that a persons symptoms may change over time People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive predominately hyperactiveimpulsive or a combination of the two A child must show six or more symptoms listed in the guidelines to be diagnosed as having ADHD The guidelines also state that the symptoms must have been present for at least six months If your child is being evaluated for ADHD they should be interviewed by someone who knows them well Included in this are their coaches teachers 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 popular form of treatment for ADHD There are both stimulant and nonstimulant medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine methylphenidate and other stimulants These drugs aid in boosting and balance levels of specific brain chemicals Antipsychotics and atomoxetine are also drugs that treat ADHD They are not as potent as stimulants but are useful for those who are unable to use stimulants due too severe side effects or health issues They can be used in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy
