What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child has symptoms of ADHD your doctor is likely to want to talk with you. He or she might ask about your family background and health. They may also ask about the education of your child. They might speak to teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches, and other people who know your child well.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know thinks they have ADHD, the first step to get an evaluation is to find a health care professional who has experience diagnosing it. Ask your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person conducting the assessment will begin by talking to you about your concerns and how they impact your life. They might also ask questions regarding your health as well as your work, school, and social life. The examiner will need to see any records you have, like performance evaluations from work or school and old report cards.
A full assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with the person's family members as well as teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will utilize a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD as well as standardized testing used in school evaluations. You will be asked to give examples of how you behave in various situations. They will examine your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will also check whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and development level. They will evaluate the symptoms of a particular person to those of other people in similar situations. For instance, their classmates at school or in an athletic 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 usually means that children have problems with schoolwork, as well as their relationships with parents or siblings. read here may lose their job when they are unable to pay attention or keeping track of bills and paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to other people who are familiar with the person like relatives, friends as well as Scout or religious leaders. They will be looking to find out what the person's behavior is in various situations, such as at home and other places beyond school or work.
Diagnosis
You must show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms must also get impeding your ability to function well at work, school or at home. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Print out the quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines or download a letter of support from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Your specialist will talk with you about your symptoms and how they impact 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 interview teachers and other people who knew you as a child. The examiner will attempt to determine if there is a different explanation for your symptoms, and may recommend that you undergo neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take several hours. Adults may have to attend more than one visit to their physician to complete the evaluation. The evaluator will go over the results with you, and may suggest treatment options that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The symptoms of the type that is inattentive include difficulties staying focused and paying attention and forgetfulness as well as poor ability to organize. 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 interfere with their lives and relationships. This can lead to broken or fractured marriages, financial difficulties and problems with parenting. During the assessment the doctor may have a conversation with both the individual with ADHD and their partner or spouse to understand how their symptoms affect the relationship. You may be asked to fill out checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically includes an interview with the person being assessed and their family members, completing questionnaires or rating scales which compare behaviors of people with ADHD to the behavior of those who don't have it, and standardized tests. The evaluator will also ask teachers to fill out questionnaires and review the reports of the child.
People suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their ADHD symptoms affect their social, work and personal life. They should expect to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things and how often they don't follow through on their tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know if these signs were present from the beginning or if they began in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person has to be experiencing significant difficulties in at least two of the following areas: work, school, family life or social interactions. Examples of this impairment are getting fired from a job, not passing in a class or not paying the bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some problems, but not major disruptions.
Stress and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A health care provider or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, their medical history and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is a standard treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn better ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective strategies for coping. It may include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It can also reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues, such as addiction or depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from couples or marital therapy. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can also assist their partner to understand how to support them and manage the difficulties of living with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill training which can ease symptoms and allow people to function better at home, school at work or in their activities. However, medications are not an effective cure, and patients must remain in contact with their doctor to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few times to find the right dosage and combination of medications, but it is important to remember that there are many options.
A specialist will interview a parent, child or adult to learn about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay special attention to behaviors that happen in various settings, such as at school and home. They will also ask about the person's family background and their academic and occupational background. They typically request performance evaluations from their workplace or old report cards, and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
Remember that for a person to be considered to have ADHD their symptoms must have been evident since childhood (technically before the age of 12). So, while an expert will only discuss the current symptoms during an assessment for diagnosis it is likely that they will require the assistance of others who knew the child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
Medication to treat ADHD typically includes stimulants, which are believed to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These medications are available in different forms that include liquids, tablets and patches. Stimulants may cause side effects such as difficulty sleeping, agitation and loss of appetite. However, they are generally safe if following the prescriptions of a doctor. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They are generally slower acting and have less negative effects, however not everyone should be taking them.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medications as well as behavior therapy and behavioral changes. Children and adults may test a variety of medications and then alter them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.