What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD Your doctor will want to speak with you. They may ask about your family health history and your family history. They may also ask about your child's education. They might speak to teachers as well as religious and scout leaders as well as coaches and other people who know your child.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they may have ADHD, the first step in obtaining an assessment is to locate a health care professional who has expertise in diagnosing ADHD. Home Page should refer you to someone who is an expert in children's mental healthcare. The person who examines you will start by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also ask about your school, work and social life. The examiner might ask you to see old report cards, performance evaluations at school or at work, as well as other documents.
A full evaluation of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person, teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will employ a variety of questionnaires and rating systems to assess the person's ADHD as well as standard tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples on your behavior in different situations. They will then compare your behavior with the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and inattention, hyperactivity, and.
The evaluator will check if the ADHD interferes with the person's daily activities. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and development level. They will evaluate the individual's issues with the experiences of others in similar situations, like their peers at school or on 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 led to significant impairment in at least two important environments in their life. For children, this can usually mean problems in their school work as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it may result in losing a job because of difficulty paying attention and trouble keeping the track of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to those who are acquainted with the person, for example, family members and friends, or scout leaders from religious or scout groups. They will be interested in knowing what the person's behavior is in different situations, including at home, as well as other places outside of work or school.
Diagnosis
To be considered to have ADHD you must exhibit at least 6 traits (symptoms) that began before the age of 12. These symptoms must also be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms must also interfere with your ability to function at school, at home, or at work. Home Page can't be caused by a mental health disorder. Your GP can refer to a specialist for an assessment. Print out the quotes from NICE 87 guidelines or download an official letter from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Your doctor will talk to you about your issues and how they impact your life. They will also inquire about your family history and social background as well as your educational and work history. They may request your old school records and may also need to speak with teachers or others who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator will try to determine if there is a different explanation for your symptoms, and may recommend that you undergo neuropsychological tests or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment may take a long time. Certain adults may need to attend more than one visit to their specialist in order to complete the evaluation. The evaluator will discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the inattentive type are trouble staying focused and attentive, forgetfulness and/or poor 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 symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to broken or fractured marriages as well as financial issues and problems with parenting. During the evaluation the doctor may have a conversation with both the person with ADHD and their spouse or partner to understand how their symptoms impact the relationship. They may ask both of you fill out checklists of your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with both the individual being evaluated and his or her caregivers, the completion of rating scales and questionnaires comparing behaviors of people with ADHD and the behavior of those who do not have it, as well as standardized testing. The evaluator may also ask teachers to complete questionnaires and examine the reports of the child.
People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their work at home, social, and personal life. They should expect to be asked questions about how often they interrupt others or lose things, and how often they don't follow through on tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know whether these signs have always been there, or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12).
A person has to have significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be classified with ADHD including school and work family relationships or social interactions. This impairment can be demonstrated by being dismissed from a job, completing a course or not paying bills in time. People with mild ADHD symptoms may still experience difficulties in certain areas, but don't have major issues.
Stress and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. A mental health healthcare professional or health care professional will evaluate the person’s mood, medical history and other variables to rule out the possibility of these.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. It helps people learn more effective ways to manage their symptoms and build stronger coping skills. It can include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to transform negative thinking into positive thoughts. It can also aid in reducing the effects of any underlying condition or mental health issues, like depression and addiction to drugs.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can also be helpful for adults who suffer from ADHD. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can assist their partner to understand how to support and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
Medicines can aid in the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of ADHD. They are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training which can reduce symptoms and allow people to function better at school, work, home or in their activities. However, medication is not an answer to all problems and people should remain in contact with their doctor to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take a few tries to find the ideal combination of medications and dosages however, it is crucial to remember that there are many alternatives.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent or adult about their experiences with ADHD and pay particular attention to behaviors that occur in a variety of settings, such as at school and at home. They will also inquire about the person's family history and their academic and occupational background. They usually ask for performance evaluations from work or old report cards and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
It is important to remember that in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, the symptoms of the patient must have begun in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12). So, while an expert will only speak about the current symptoms during an assessment for diagnosis, they will likely need to speak with others who knew the person as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
The treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which appear to increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They are available in various forms like liquids, tablets and patches. The stimulants can cause side effects such as sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe when used according to the doctor's prescription. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants are also used for ADHD. They typically work slower and have less side effects, but they are not recommended for all people.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication as well as behavior therapy and behavioral changes. Adults and children can try several medications and change them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.