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How to Get a Confirmed ADHD Diagnosis Finding a confirmed ADHD diagnosis isn't as simple as taking an online test or rating scale. The process requires an evaluation of both psychiatric and medical. Doctors examine family and medical history including past tests as well as old school records. Parents, teachers, and kids are also interviewed about the symptoms. ADHD symptoms often run through families. Symptoms ADHD is diagnosed when a person has difficulty to stay on task, pay attention to details or to start and finish tasks that require concentration. Many suffer from other disorders like anxiety or depression, that may cause similar symptoms. That's why a clear diagnosis is so crucial. A thorough evaluation will help determine whether the symptoms are due to ADHD or another disorder. A psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist that has experience with ADHD in adults or has a background in adult ADHD can conduct an assessment. They will ask questions and discuss with the person about their symptoms as well as the length of time they've been occurring, how often, and how serious they are. They will also inquire about the person's family history and medical history, as well as their work and school activities. It is essential that a doctor be aware of any problems a patient may be having, such as relationship or financial problems. The doctor may also wish to speak to the person's employer or teacher regarding any issues they've experienced regarding the performance of the person at school or at work. For children, the doctor will interview parents and may have to speak with other adults, such as coaches, teachers or nannies. During the examination, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, and then perform a physical. The physical will look for conditions that can cause symptoms that look like ADHD, such as thyroid problems or seizure disorders. They will also look over any relevant records, such as the person's job and educational history. The provider will also conduct a behavioral or psychological test. It could be a list of symptoms, or a rating system that measures how an individual feels about certain actions. They can also conduct tests for cognitive and learning disabilities to determine if a person has a learning disability or other disorders that can be similar to ADHD. resources may also inquire about the person about their daily routine and lifestyle, including whether they're experiencing stress situations or if they have any other medical conditions that can increase ADHD symptoms. They will also ask the person about their capacity to work with others and to follow the instructions. Diagnosis The signs of ADHD interfere with many areas of life for children and adults. They can be a source of difficulty at work and school and in other extracurricular activities, and troubled relationships. These issues can also affect driving and financial. Finding a health professional who is knowledgeable about ADHD is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis. The doctor of your child can conduct a screening or you could decide to look for a psychiatrist who specializes in mental disorders. The doctor will then interview the patient regarding their behavior. In general, the doctor will ask for symptoms that have been present for at minimum six months. This will ensure that the symptoms are constant over time. The examiner will utilize 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 examining current issues, the doctor will typically review the patient's medical history as well as any family history of ADHD or other mental health issues. They will also look at the person's driving and academic history and relationship and family problems. The examiner will also need to be aware of the person's lifestyle including whether he or she has any drug or alcohol abuse problems. To diagnose ADHD, the specialist must be convinced that the symptoms cannot be better explained by a different disorder. The symptoms should be present at least two times and for a minimum of six months. The symptoms must be debilitating and not caused by another health condition. To confirm a diagnosis the specialist may administer one or more tests of attention, such as the TOVA continuous performance test. The TOVA test is performed on a computer and involves watching a series of visual stimuli, like letters or shapes, appearing on the screen. The person watches the stimuli and presses a button when he or she recognizes the correct letter. The TOVA program calculates scores to determine the degree of difficulty that an individual has with attention-related tasks. Treatment Anyone who exhibits symptoms of ADHD is typically assessed for the disorder by an expert in mental health. This will include a thorough physical exam, review of medical and family history, and a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation will contain questions about symptoms and how they impact the individual's performance. It will also include the standardized ADHD scales for behavior as well as other psychological tests. The doctor may also speak with the patient's spouse, if applicable. This is not a way to test honesty, but rather to find out more about the patient's life and behaviors. Many people with ADHD struggle with recalling their childhood experiences and it may be beneficial to interview other adults who have known the patient for a long time. This information can aid the doctor in determining other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For children the evaluator may interview the parents and teachers of the child. This is particularly important if the child is having problems at school. In addition, the evaluator will likely inquire about the child's social life and how his or her school and home life are structured. This is important since the social environment is the primary source of stress and problems for people with ADHD. The doctor will use the same rating scale for adult patients. However it is more sophisticated. It is used to gather research data about symptoms. In some instances, the examiner may also use computerized testing to screen for signs of ADHD. The most frequently used test is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ADHD-RS) and was created by the National Institute of Mental Health. The Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a different kind of test on computers that evaluates an individual's attention span. For adolescents and young adults the evaluator may also look at whether or not the individual meets the diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for ADHD. 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 teenager is diagnosed with ADHD medications will likely be a part of the treatment plan. Stimulant medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and offer quick relief from symptoms. However, these medications must be administered with care. A high dose of stimulants can cause addiction or heart problems. The drugs that release slowly into the body, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine are safer but they don't work in the same way as stimulants. These medications may also not be available for children with particular medical conditions, such as Tourette Syndrome or congenital heart disease. Psychotherapy is a crucial component of the treatment plan for adults who have ADHD. Therapists can help patients develop more efficient organizational skills and come up with strategies to improve their work and social relationships. For instance, a therapist might instruct the client to make use of reminders, such as alarms or daily planners to help them stay on track. Therapists can also help adults suffering from ADHD learn to manage their emotions better and discover ways to deal with the stressors in their lives. A psychologist or psychiatrist can administer tests to adults with ADHD that screen for anxiety and depression, learning disabilities, and other disorders which may look similar to ADHD or coexist alongside it, like seizures or thyroid disorders. Psychiatrists can also conduct physical examinations and review the patient's medical records, family history, and behavior. Some therapists use a computer test to help screen adults for ADHD symptoms. The test assesses a person's ability to maintain concentration and withstand impulsive impulses by showing visual targets on the computer screen. The test is designed to measure a person's cognitive functioning and can be used in combination with self-report questions to give the clinician an objective assessment of a patient's reaction to treatment. A newer genetic testing method can be used to determine how the body will metabolize medication. The test can aid doctors in selecting the most effective drug and avoid side effects for each patient. This type of testing can be expensive and is not readily accessible. The most reliable method to determine ADHD is through an expert medical professional.