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ADHD Evaluation – What Happens in the First Step? A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will question you and those around you, such as a spouse, sibling or friend for adults — about symptoms. This often provides information that questionnaires cannot. Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is a bit more difficult, as guidelines for diagnosis are designed for children. It's important to find a specialist with the field who takes the time in evaluating your case. Signs and symptoms To conduct an ADHD assessment, the initial step is for the patient to be honest and open about his symptoms and how they impact his life. Adults may not want to admit that they struggle with paying attention, following instructions or organizing tasks. But getting a precise diagnosis can help you manage symptoms and lead a healthier life. The examiner will inquire of the person about their personal and medical history from childhood until the present. The evaluator will also go over the American Psychological Association's guidelines for treating this disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). 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 categories—inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity—for six months. Symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two important situations, like school or at work. In addition, the person evaluating must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment. In addition to an interview, a doctor might use behavioral rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists to gather details about the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that test working memory, executive functioning abilities, and spatial and visual reasoning are useful in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may ask for permission depending on the situation to speak with family members or friends who may offer valuable insight and help. They might ask for the names and contact information of parents, spouses, or siblings in order to speak with them about the individual's issues at home and at work. A physical exam is often part of an ADHD assessment, since it can help identify other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. In some cases thyroid issues and seizures can be a cause of ADHD. The evaluator could conduct a neurological examination to determine if there is any evidence of injury or damage to the brain that would explain the symptoms. The evaluator may also recommend blood and urine tests to evaluate for the presence of other medical conditions that might hinder treatment, like depression, alcohol or substance abuse. Diagnosis In determining ADHD the doctor will look for signs that manifest in various settings, like at home, school, or work. The symptoms must also persist for a long period of time. Then, the doctor will assess how much these symptoms interfere with your day-to-day life. If they cause a lot of trouble, it's likely that you or your child will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. Doctors utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition to diagnose children. They will examine the child's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They may also conduct an interview for a clinical nature. The interview will discuss your child's medical background, family history, and psychiatric background. You will be asked about your child's daily mood, behavior, and performance. For adults, it's more difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V is designed to help diagnose children. There is adult diagnosis of adhd over whether the criteria are still applicable in 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 hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. They must be suffering from these symptoms for a long duration of time and must be able to interfere with their daily activities at school, at home, or work. Your doctor might also recommend additional tests in addition to an interview with you to determine the extent and severity of your symptoms or the child's. This might include a blood test or an EEG. Other tests may help determine if a condition is producing the same symptoms as learning disabilities or depressive disorders. To find an expert to evaluate your your child's ADHD begin by asking your family physician for the referral. You can also call your insurance company to find out whether there are specialists that are covered by your plan and who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also contact an organization in your area and ask for suggestions. You could also call a university-based hospital or a medical or graduate school to get a list of professionals who perform ADHD evaluations. Treatment ADHD symptoms can cause serious issues at work and in school and interfere with relationships. Being diagnosed and taking medication can improve performance and lessen symptoms. People with ADHD may also have to change their lifestyle, such as adjusting sleep schedules and using a daily planner, or increasing exercise. Anyone suffering from ADHD should see the primary care doctor or psychiatrist or both for an evaluation. In the interview in person the practitioner will talk about issues like development, family history, lifestyle and the current symptoms. The doctor will ask questions about the person's performance, behavior and productivity and whether they are struggling with impulsive behavior or focus. They will want to know about how long the symptoms have gone on, the location and time they started and how much stress or problems they can cause. The evaluator may want to talk to other people in the patient's life, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults as well as coaches, teachers and daycare providers for children. These people can provide insights that questionnaires are unable to provide give, such as the fact that the person often forgets or stops work during the course of a task. They can also reveal what triggers symptoms. Many behavioral therapies and medications treat ADHD. Some medications include stimulants such as amphetamine, or nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs increase the flow of blood to the brain and reduce impulsive actions, allowing people to pay attention and follow directions. These drugs can be administered intravenously or orally and generally are well-tolerated. In addition to medication, therapy can help people with ADHD discover strategies to compensate for their issues. 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 life. Family therapy and marriage therapy is a fantastic way to address the problems caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also help teach strategies for dealing with stress and assist in resolving conflicts that might occur. Medication In order for an expert to diagnose ADHD the doctor must look at several things. They will inquire about your child's behavior at home, in schools, and elsewhere. They may also use scales or questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also request an history of the family. They may also search for other conditions that may explain the symptoms such as learning disabilities and mood disorders. They will also determine the severity of the symptoms and if they impact your child's life. There isn't a physical test for ADHD such as the blood test or an X-ray. Your child's healthcare provider follows guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. These guidelines were designed for children aged 4-18 years of age. It is harder to diagnose ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD can change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must display more than 6 symptoms as described in the guidelines for diagnosis. The guidelines also stipulate that the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. If your child is being evaluated for ADHD the child should be questioned by a person who knows them well. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders and other caregivers. They should also be asked about how their symptoms affect their daily lives and how they compare to other children their age. The most common treatment for ADHD is medication. There are both stimulant and nonstimulant drugs that can be prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms. The most common stimulants prescribed are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants. These drugs balance and boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Other medications that are used to treat ADHD include the antidepressant atomoxetine, as well as antipsychotics. They are less potent than stimulants, but are useful for those who cannot take stimulants due to serious side effects or health problems. The use of medications can be in conjunction with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.