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ADHD Evaluation – What Happens in the First Step? A healthcare professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment will ask you and your family members close to you, such as a spouse, sibling or a friend for adults — about symptoms. This is often a way to gain insight that questionnaires can't uncover. Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is trickier because the diagnostic guidelines are geared toward children. It's important to find a specialist with the field who takes their time when evaluating you. Symptoms For an ADHD evaluation, the first step is to have the patient talk openly and honestly about his symptoms and how they impact his life. Some adults are reluctant to admit that they struggle with paying attention and following directions or organising tasks, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the best way to get rid of symptoms and lead a a more fulfilling life. The evaluator will ask the person to tell them about their medical and personal history from childhood up to now. The evaluator also reviews the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care for the condition 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. The symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at minimum two major situations, like school or work. Additionally, the examiner must rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD like depression, anxiety, or an intellectual impairment. A doctor may also use ADHD symptom checklists or behavioral rating scales as well as an interview to gather data on the severity of symptoms. Psychological tests that measure executive functioning, spatial and visual reasoning and working memory can aid in identifying ADHD symptoms in adults. Doctors may request permission based on the circumstances to reach out to family members or friends who could offer valuable insight and help. They might ask for the names and contact numbers of parents, spouses or siblings to speak with them about the individual's issues at home and at the workplace. A physical exam is usually part of an ADHD evaluation, as it can help identify other disorders that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms that look like ADHD. diagnosed with adult adhd can also perform a neurological examination to determine if there are indications of injury or damage to the brain that could be the cause of the symptoms. The evaluator could also suggest blood and urine tests to check for the presence of other medical conditions that might hinder treatment, like depression or alcohol and drug abuse. Diagnosis In diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will be looking for signs that can be observed in various settings, like at home, school or at work. The symptoms should also last for a long period of time. The doctor will then determine how much your symptoms interfere with everyday 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. To diagnose children, doctors adhere to guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review the symptoms of your child and how they affect their lives. They may also conduct an interview. The interview will include your child's medical history, family history, and psychiatric history. You will be asked questions about your child's daily mood and behavior as well as their performance. For adults, it is more difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis. The DSM-V 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 hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. They must have these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, and they must significantly affect their daily activities at home, school or at work. Besides conducting a clinical interview, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the extent of your the child's symptoms. This could include the blood test or an EEG test. Other tests can help rule out conditions that are causing the same symptoms like learning disabilities or depressive disorders. Asking your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who can assess your ADHD or that of your child is a good place to start. You can also contact your insurance provider to determine if specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults are covered by your policy. You can also reach out to a local group of support and ask for suggestions. You can also contact an academic medical center or university hospital to get the list of specialists who perform ADHD assessments. Treatment ADHD symptoms can cause serious problems at work or at school, and can cause problems with relationships. Diagnosed with ADHD taking medication and enhancing your performance can help decrease symptoms. People with ADHD may also need to alter their lifestyles, such as changing their sleep schedules, using daily planners or increasing exercise. A person with ADHD should consult with his or her primary care doctor, psychiatrist or both to receive an assessment. During this in-person interview the professional will discuss subjects like development, family and lifestyle history as well as current symptoms and concerns. The doctor will inquire about the person's performance, productivity, and if they are having issues with impulsive or focused actions. They'll be interested in knowing how the symptoms have lasted on, the location and time they started and how much distress or problems they cause. The evaluator may want to talk to other people in the patient's life, for example, parents, spouses or siblings for adults and teachers, coaches or daycare providers for children. These people can provide insights that questionnaires are unable to provide give, such as the fact that the patient often fails to remember or stops doing tasks during the course of a task. They can also reveal the triggers for symptoms. ADHD is treated by various behavioral therapies and drugs. The medications may include stimulants such as amphetamine as well as non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Serenade) and dexamfetamine (Vyvanse). These drugs improve blood flow to the brain, reduce impulse-driven behavior, and permit people to pay attention and follow directions. They can be administered either orally or intravenously and are generally well-tolerated. Therapy can help those with ADHD develop strategies to overcome the difficulties they experience. Therapists can assist people in learning how to organize their lives, manage their appointments, and offer assistance and guidance in dealing with the impact ADHD symptoms can have on work and home life. Therapy for families and marriage is a fantastic way to tackle the issues caused by ADHD in relationships. It can also teach coping skills and help resolve conflict that may occur. Medication To allow an expert to diagnose ADHD, they must evaluate several things. They will inquire about your child's symptoms at home, at school and in other places. They may also use scales and questionnaires specifically designed for ADHD. They may also inquire about the family history. They may also search for other conditions which could explain the symptoms such as mood disorders or learning disabilities. They will also determine how severe the symptoms are and if they interfere with your child's daily life. There is no physical test for ADHD that is comparable to blood tests or an X-ray. To diagnose ADHD the healthcare provider for your child will be following the guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association. These guidelines were designed for children between 4 and 18 years old. It is harder to diagnose ADHD in adults. The symptoms of ADHD may change over time. People who have ADHD can be diagnosed as predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive or a combination of the two. A child must exhibit at least six of the symptoms listed in the guidelines in order to be diagnosed with 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, it's important that someone familiar with them interview them. Included in this are their teachers, coaches, religious leaders and other caregivers. It is also important to inquire what their symptoms impact their daily functioning, and how they compare to other children of their age. The most commonly used treatment for ADHD is medication. There are stimulant as well as non-stimulant medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the most commonly prescribed. These medications balance and boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Antipsychotics and Atomoxetine are medications that can treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, but they are beneficial for people who are unable to use stimulant medications due to health problems or severe adverse reactions. The medications can be used with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral treatment.