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How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis It's not as simple as taking an online test or using an assessment scale. The process involves a medical and psychological evaluation. Doctors review medical and family histories, including old school records and tests from the past. Parents, teachers and children are interviewed about their symptoms. ADHD symptoms often run in families. Symptoms If a person is having trouble staying on task and paying attention to the details or starting and finishing tasks that require a lot of attention it could be ADHD. But, there are many other disorders that can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as depression and anxiety. It is important to determine the correct diagnosis. A thorough evaluation can help determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another disorder. A mental health professional with had experience dealing with adult ADHD or psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist that is experienced in ADHD can perform an evaluation. They will ask questions and speak to the person about their symptoms, how long they've been experiencing them frequently, how often, and how severe they are. They will inquire about the person’s medical history and family history, their work and school experience, as well as their family. It is crucial for a doctor to know about any issues that a person may be facing for example, financial problems or trouble in relationships. They might also have to talk to the person's employer or teacher about any issues they've experienced with the individual's performance at work or at school. The doctor will talk to parents, and may also need to interview other adults, such as teachers, coaches, nannies, or coaches. During the exam the doctor will collect the medical history of the patient and conduct an examination. The physical exam will check for conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD or other disorders, like seizure disorders or thyroid problems. They will also look over the individual's academic and work history, as well as any other relevant records. The doctor will also conduct a behavioral or psychological test. This could involve a list of symptoms or a rating scale that reflects how the person is feeling about certain behaviors. They may also use cognitive or learning disabilities tests to determine if a person has a disorder that mimics ADHD or a learning problem. They will also ask about the lifestyle of the person for example, whether they are in a stressful situation or suffer from any other health issues that could cause ADHD symptoms worse. They will also inquire about the person about their ability to work with others and follow instructions. Diagnosis ADHD symptoms can affect both adults and children in many different areas of their lives. They can cause problems at work and school, poor performance in extracurricular activities and strained relationships. They also cause issues in driving and managing finances. Finding a medical professional who is familiar with ADHD is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis. Your child's doctor may perform an assessment or you might want to find a psychiatrist that specializes in mental illness. The specialist will first interview the patient about their behavior. In general the doctor will look for symptoms that have been present for at least a month. This will ensure that the symptoms have been constant over time. The examiner will employ an assessment scale to assess the symptoms of ADHD. This could be the ASRS (Adult Self-Report Scale) or the DSM-5. In addition to asking about current issues, the doctor will typically look over the patient's medical history and any family history of ADHD or other mental health problems. They may also examine the person's driving and academic history along with relationships and family issues. The examiner will also need to know about the person's lifestyle and whether or not they have drug or alcohol abuse problems. To establish the diagnosis of ADHD, a doctor must be convinced that the symptoms are not caused by any other disorder. In general, the symptoms should be present in two or more settings and have been ongoing for at least six months. Furthermore, the symptoms should be debilitating and not due to any other disease. To confirm a diagnosis the doctor may conduct one or more tests of attention, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA is conducted by a computer and involves observing a series of visual stimuli, such as letters or shapes, appearing on the screen. The person watches the stimuli and presses a button when or she sees the correct letter. The TOVA program then calculates scores that indicate the degree of difficulty that an individual has with tasks that require attention. Treatment A person with symptoms of ADHD will usually be evaluated for the disorder by an expert in mental health. This will include a thorough physical exam as well as an examination of family and medical history, and a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation will include questions about symptoms and how they affect the individual's functioning. It will also include the standardized ADHD scales for behavior and other psychological tests. The doctor can also talk to the patient's significant other If appropriate. This is not a test for honesty, but to learn more about a patient's experiences and behaviour. relevant website with ADHD struggle with recalling details from their childhood and it may be beneficial to talk to others who have known the person for a long period of time. This information can help the doctor identify other conditions which may trigger similar symptoms. The evaluator often interviews the child's parents and teachers. This is particularly important if the child is having difficulties at school. The evaluator may also ask about the child's life in the social world and how the school and home environments are structured. This is crucial, since the social environment can be a major stressor for those with ADHD. In adult patients, the physician will use a similar scale but it is more sophisticated and utilized to gather research data about symptoms. In some cases an examiner might use computerized testing in order to detect ADHD symptoms. The most commonly tested test is known as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. Continuous performance test (CPT) is a different kind of computer test that measures the attention span of an individual. The evaluator determines whether the individual is in compliance with the ADHD diagnostic criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). This means that the individual has had six or more established symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least six months and the symptoms have significantly impacted their social, academic and occupational functioning. Medication If your child or teen is diagnosed with ADHD, medication will probably be a part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and offer quick relief from symptoms. However, these drugs must be administered with care. A high dose of stimulants can cause addiction or heart problems. The drugs that release slowly into the body, like atomoxetine and Guanfacine, are less harmful however they don't perform quite as quickly as stimulants. These medications may not be available to children with certain medical conditions such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease. Psychotherapy is another part of a treatment program for adults with ADHD. Therapists can teach people how to better organize themselves and devise strategies for improving their work and relationships. For instance, a therapist might help a person learn to make use of reminders, such as alarms or daily planners to help them stay on the right track. Therapists can help adults with ADHD manage their emotions and find ways to manage stressors. For adults suffering from ADHD psychologists or psychiatrist may administer tests that screen for depression, anxiety as well as learning disabilities and other disorders that can be similar to or coexist with ADHD, such as seizures or a thyroid disorder. Psychologists may also conduct an examination of the body and examine the patient's medical records, family history and behavior. Certain therapists utilize computer tests to screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses a person's ability to maintain attention and resist impulsive impulses by presenting visual targets on the screen of a computer. The test is designed to gauge the cognitive performance of a person and can be utilized in combination with self-report questions to provide the doctor with an objective assessment of a patient's reaction to therapy. A newer genetic test method can be used to determine how a person's body will metabolize medication. The test will help doctors choose the right medication for each patient and prevent harmful unwanted side adverse effects. However, this kind of test is expensive and not readily available. A medical professional is still the most reliable method to determine ADHD in an individual.