What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will want to speak to you about whether your child or you exhibits signs of ADHD. They may ask questions about family and health background. They may also inquire about the schooling of your child. He or she may talk to teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches, and others who know your child.
Symptoms
Find a doctor with experience in diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you know suspects they may have it. Ask your family doctor to refer you to a doctor who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They might also ask questions regarding your health, work, school and social life. add adhd assessment will need to look over any records you may have, including performance evaluations from your work or school as well as your old report cards.
Interviews with family members, teachers as well as other adults will be a part of a comprehensive assessment. The examiner will utilize a variety of ratings and questionnaires to evaluate the person's ADHD and will also use standard tests used in school evaluations. They will also require you to give examples of how you behave in different situations. They will also compare your behavior to the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will check if the ADHD hinders the individual's daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than expected for their age or development. They will compare the person's issues to those of other people in similar situations, such as 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 situations in their lives. For children, this will usually mean problems in their school work as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it could be a loss of a job as a result of inattention issues and difficulty keeping records of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator can also talk to people who are familiar with the person, such as family members and friends, or scout or religious leaders. They will want to hear about how the person acts in various situations and also how they behave at home and in other settings outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must be able to show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before the age of 12. You must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms must also become hindering you from functioning effectively at work, school or at home. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor can refer you to an expert to conduct an assessment. You can download a help letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print the quotes from the NICE 87's guideline to explain why you should have an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also ask about your family history and social background as well as your educational and work history. They may ask for your old school records as well as interview teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. The evaluator might try to rule out any other explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Certain adults require more than one appointment with their physician to complete the procedure. The evaluator will go over the results with you, and may suggest treatments 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 or forgetfulness, as well as 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 struggle to comprehend how their symptoms interfere with their lives and relationships. This can lead to broken or fractured marriages as well as financial issues and problems with parenting. During the examination, the clinician may talk with both the person with ADHD and their partner or spouse to get a better understanding of how their symptoms impact the relationship. You may be asked to fill out checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with both the person being evaluated as well as their caregivers, the completion of rating scales and questionnaires that compare the behavior of people suffering from ADHD with the behavior of those who do not have it, as well as standardized testing. In the case of children, the evaluator might also examine their report cards and request that teachers fill out questionnaires.
People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their issues affect their work, home, and social life. Expect to be asked questions about how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, and if you don't finish tasks. The examiner will want to know whether these signs are present for all time, or if they started in childhood (technically before age 12).
A person has to have significant issues in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work life, family relationships or social interactions. This condition can be demonstrated by being fired from a position, failing an educational course or not paying bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause issues, but they are not major disruptions.
Physical and emotional stress can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A mental health professional or health care provider will examine the person's mood, medical history and other variables to rule out these causes.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It assists people in developing better coping skills and learn how to manage their symptoms. It can include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues, such as depression and substance misuse.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can also be helpful for adults who suffer from ADHD. It can help them understand their partner and improve communication. It can help their partner know how to support and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. The use of medication can help alleviate these symptoms. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with skill training and therapy, which can improve symptoms and allow people to function better at home, school at work, at home or in their activities. However, medications are not a cure and people must continue to work with their physician to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the ideal dosage of medication and dosage. However, it's important to remember that there are many alternatives.
A specialist will interview parents, children or an adult to find out about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay attention to behaviors that happen in different settings, including at school and home. They will also inquire about the family history of the person and their academic and work background. They will usually request performance evaluations from work or old report cards, and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
Be aware that in order for a person to be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must have begun in childhood (technically before the age of 12). Therefore, even though an expert will only discuss current symptoms when conducting an assessment for diagnosis, they will likely need to speak with 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 are believed to regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as Neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in various forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. The stimulants can cause adverse effects like trouble sleeping, agitation, and a loss of appetite, however they generally considered safe when they are prescribed by a physician. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They generally have a slower effect and have less negative effects, however not everyone should be taking them.
A combination of medications therapy, therapy, as well as behavior changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. It is not uncommon for children and adults to try multiple medications and change them over time as their needs change or they experience significant life changes.