What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child have symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to speak with you. He or she might ask about your family health history and your family history. You may also ask about the schooling of your child. They will also talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts, and religious leaders, as well as others who know them well.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they might have ADHD the first step in getting an evaluation is to find a health care professional who is experienced in diagnosing ADHD. Request get assessed for adhd to refer you to a doctor who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person doing the evaluation will begin by speaking to you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask about your work, school and social life. The examiner might ask you to see your old reports or performance evaluations from work or school, and other documents.
A complete assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person as well as teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will utilize various questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to give examples of how you behave in different situations. They will compare your behavior with the DSM V ADHD criteria -hyperactivity, inattention and inattention, hyperactivity, and.
The evaluator will also check whether the person's ADHD affects their daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and development level. They will assess the symptoms of a person with others in similar situations. For instance, they will compare their peers at school or on the same 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. The symptoms must also have led to significant impairments in at least two areas of their lives. This will typically mean that children struggle with schoolwork, as well as their relationships with their parents or siblings. For adults, it could be a loss of a job as a result of inattention issues and difficulty keeping track of paperwork or bills.
The evaluator may also talk to other people who are familiar with the person, such as relatives and friends as well as Scout or religious leaders. They'll want to hear about the way in which the person behaves in different settings and also how they behave at home and in other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least six characteristics (symptoms) that began before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms must also interfere with your ability to function at home, school, or work. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can refer to a specialist 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 provide the reasons why you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will also inquire about your family history and social background as well as your education and work history. They may ask for your old school records and may need to speak with teachers or others who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator may try to rule out any other explanations for your symptoms and suggest you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take several hours. Certain adults require more than one visit with their specialist to complete the process. The evaluator may discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The ADHD that is inattentive is characterized by difficulty paying attention and staying focused and also by forgetfulness and/or a lack in organizational 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 understand how their condition affects their lives and relationships. This can lead to strained or dissolved marriages or financial problems, as well as issues with parenting. During the assessment the therapist may speak with both the person suffering from ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their symptoms impact the relationship. You might be asked to complete checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically involves an interview with both the person being evaluated and the caregivers for them as well as the completion of rating scales and questionnaires that compare the behavior of people suffering from ADHD against the behaviors of people who are not affected, as well as standardized testing. For children, the examiner may take a look at their report cards and request that teachers fill out questionnaires.
People suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their ADHD symptoms affect their social, work and personal life. Expect to be asked questions about how often you interrupt others, or if you misplace things easily, and if you are unable to finish tasks. The evaluator wants to know if these symptoms were always present or if they started in childhood (technically, before the age of 12).
A person must experience significant issues in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD: work and school family relationships, life or social interactions. This impairment can be demonstrated by being dismissed from a position, failing an educational course or not paying your bills in time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can have problems in a few areas, but do not have major issues.
There are a myriad of things that can trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, medical background and other factors to rule out these possibilities.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It assists people in learning how to better manage their symptoms and build stronger strategies for coping. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying condition or mental health issues such as depression or substance misuse.
Therapy for couples or marriage can also be helpful for adults who suffer from ADHD. It can help them understand their partner's perspective and improve their communication. It can also help their partner know how to support and cope with someone with ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. Medications may help to reduce the symptoms. They are often prescribed along with therapy and skill training which can ease symptoms and help people function better at home, school at work or in their leisure activities. It is not a cure-all and patients need to consult with their doctor to determine the best method 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 keep in mind that there are many alternatives.
A trained specialist will talk to the child, parent or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular attention to behaviors that occur in various situations, including at school and at home. They will also ask about the family history of the person and their academic and work background. They typically request performance evaluations from work or old reports and will be looking to speak with the person's teachers.
Be aware that in order for a person to be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12). Therefore, even though an expert will only speak about current symptoms when conducting an assessment of diagnosis however, they may have to talk with other people who knew the individual as a child and might even talk to the person's teachers or parents.
Treatment for ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in various forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. They can trigger side effects such as trouble sleeping or agitation as well as loss of appetite, however they are generally considered safe when prescribed by a doctor. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. They typically work slower and have fewer side effects, but they are not suitable for everyone.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medications as well as behavior therapy and behavioral changes. It is not uncommon for children and adults to take different medications and then alter them over time as their needs change or they experience significant life changes.