What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will want to speak to you if you or your child has symptoms of ADHD. He or she might ask about your family health history and your family history. The person will also inquire about your child's education. They may also meet with teachers or scout and religious leaders as well as coaches and other people who know your child.
Signs and symptoms
Find a health professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you love suspects they may have it. Look for someone who specializes in children's mental health or ask your family physician for a referral. The person who evaluates you will begin by asking about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They may also ask about your school, work, and social life. iampsychiatry may ask to see your old report cards or performance evaluations from school or at work, and other documents.
Interviews with teachers, family members, and other adults will be part of a complete evaluation. The examiner will utilize various questions and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you behave in various situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will determine whether the ADHD affects the person's daily activities. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and development level. They will assess a person's symptoms to other people in similar situations. For instance, their peers at school or in a team.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the person must have a significant number of symptoms from both the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity sections of the criteria. In addition, the symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two significant environments in their life. This will typically mean that children have problems with their schoolwork and their relationships with parents or siblings. For adults, it could be a loss of a job as a result of a lack of attention and having trouble keeping records of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to other people who are familiar with the person like relatives, friends as well as Scout leaders or religious groups. They will want to know about the way in which the person behaves in different settings, as well as how they behave at home and at other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be considered to have ADHD, you must have at least six traits (symptoms) that started before the age of 12. Additionally, you must be experiencing these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms must also become in the way of functioning effectively at work, school or at home. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental health disorder. Your GP can refer to a specialist to conduct an assessment. You can print out quotations from NICE 87 guidelines or download the letter of support from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also ask you about your family as well as your educational and social background. They might request your school records from the past, and they might need to speak with teachers or other people who know you from when you were a kid. The examiner may attempt to rule out other explanations for your symptoms and recommend that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation could take several hours. Some adults may need to attend more than one visit to their specialist in order to complete the process. The evaluation specialist may discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The inattentive form of ADHD is defined by a lack of attention and staying focused and also by forgetfulness and/or a lack of organization skills. People with the hyperactive/impulsive type are restless and fidgety, often interrupt conversations or activities, have a hard time waiting for their turn, and may use other people's things without permission.
Some adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their condition affects their lives and relationships. This can cause financial issues and broken or strained relationships, and parental issues. During the evaluation the therapist may speak with both the individual with ADHD and their partner or spouse to understand how their symptoms impact the relationship. You might be asked to complete checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with the person being assessed and their caregivers, completion of questionnaires or rating scales which compare the behavior of those with ADHD to the behavior of those who don't have it, and standardized testing. In the case of children, the evaluator may also examine their reports and ask for teachers to fill out questionnaires.
People suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their social, work and personal life. Expect to be asked how often you interrupt others, if you get lost things easily, or if you are unable to finish tasks. The evaluator wants to determine if these signs were always present or if they started in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have significant problems in at least two of the following areas: work, family life, school or social interactions. Examples of this are being fired from a job, failing a class or not paying the bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some issues, but they are not major disruptions.
There are a myriad of things that could trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the person's mood, their medical history and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is among the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. It helps people learn how to better manage their symptoms and develop better coping skills. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of underlying conditions and mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them comprehend their partner's viewpoint and improve their communication. It can also assist their partner to learn how to support them and deal with the difficulties of living with someone with ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of ADHD. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill training, which can improve symptoms and help people function better at home, school at work or in their leisure activities. But, it isn't a cure and people must continue to work with their physician to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take several tries to find the best combination of medication and dosages. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many options.
A specialist will interview parents, children or an adult to understand their experiences with ADHD. They will pay special attention to the behaviors that occur in various settings, such as at school and home. They will also look at the person's academic and occupational background and ask questions about their family life. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards, and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
It is crucial to remember that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms of the patient must have begun in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12). Therefore, even though an expert will only discuss current symptoms when conducting a diagnostic assessment it is likely that they will require the assistance of others who knew the individual as a child and might even talk to the person's teachers or parents.
ADHD medications typically contain stimulants that appear to balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as Neurotransmitters. They are available in a variety of forms, including liquids, tablets and patches. They can trigger side effects such as trouble sleeping or agitation as well as loss of appetite, but generally, they are safe when prescribed by a doctor. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants can also be used for ADHD. They are generally slower acting and have fewer adverse effects, however not everyone should be taking them.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medications treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. It's not unusual for adults and children to take multiple medications and change them over time as their needs change or when they experience significant changes in their lives.