What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child have symptoms of ADHD your doctor will want to speak with you. They may ask about your family health history and your family history. He or she will also ask about your child's school experience. He or she will speak to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts and religious leaders, and others who are familiar with them.
Signs and symptoms
Find a health professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD If you or someone you know thinks they might be suffering from it. Ask your family doctor to refer you to someone who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person who evaluates you will start by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also inquire about your work, school, and social life. The examiner could ask you to see old report cards or performance evaluations from work or school, and other documents.
Interviews with family members, teachers as well as other adults will be part of a comprehensive assessment. The examiner will use a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD, including standardized testing used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples of how you behave in various situations. They will then compare your behavior with the DSM V ADHD criteria -hyperactivity, inattention, and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will check if the ADHD interferes with the person's daily functioning. They will also consider whether their symptoms are significantly more severe than expected for their age or development. They will evaluate the symptoms of a particular person to those of other people in similar situations. For example, 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 signs must have led to significant impairment in at least two major environments in their life. For children, this could typically result in problems with their schoolwork and relationships with parents and siblings. Adults may lose their job in the event that they struggle to pay attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to other people who know the person well such as relatives, friends and Scout or religious leaders. They will be looking to find out how the person behaves in various situations, including at home and other places other than school or work.
Diagnosis
You must show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before 12 years of age. Additionally, you must be experiencing these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms should also interfere with your ability to perform at school, at home, or at work. The symptoms can not be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can refer you to a specialist to have an assessment. You can print out quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines or download the letter of support from ADHD UK that you can send to your GP.
Your specialist will talk with you about your health issues and how they affect your life. They will also inquire about your family and social history as well as your education and work history. They may ask for your old school records and may be interested in interviewing teachers or others who have known you since you were a kid. The examiner will attempt 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 evaluation may take several hours. Certain adults require more than one visit with their physician 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 symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulties staying focused and attentive or forgetfulness, as well as poor 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.
Certain adults with ADHD have difficulty understanding how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial issues as well as broken or stressed relationships, and parental issues. During the assessment the therapist may speak with both the individual with ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. You may be asked to fill out checklists of your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically includes an interview with the person being evaluated and their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires or rating scales that measure the the behavior of those with ADHD to those of people who do not have it, and standardized tests. The evaluator will also ask teachers to complete questionnaires and examine the reports of the child.
Anyone suffering from symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their issues affect their work, home, and social life. They should be prepared to be asked questions like how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things and how often they fail to follow through on their tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know if these signs were present from the beginning or if they first started in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
A person must experience significant difficulties in two or more of the following areas to be classified with ADHD such as school and work family relationships, or social interactions. This impairment can be demonstrated by being fired from a job, failing the course or not paying bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause issues, but they are not major disruptions.
There are many factors that can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD such as physical ailments and stress. A mental health specialist or health care professional will assess the person's mood, medical background and other factors in order to rule out these causes.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for ADHD. It assists people in learning how to better manage their symptoms and develop more effective techniques for coping. It can include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts. It can also help reduce the effects of underlying conditions and mental health issues such as addiction or depression.
Therapy for couples or marriage can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD. It can help them appreciate their partner's viewpoint and improve their communication. adhd assessments can also help the person they love to understand how to support them and manage the difficulties of living with someone with ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is defined by hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. The use of medication can help reduce the symptoms. They are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training, which can improve the symptoms and help people perform better at school, work at home, or even in their activities. However, medication is not a cure and people must still work with their doctor to figure out how they can manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take several attempts to find the best combination of medication and dosages. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many choices.
A specialist will talk to a parent, child or an adult to find out about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay special attention to the behaviors that occur in different settings, including at home and in school. They will also review the person's educational and occupational history and ask questions about their life as a family. They usually ask for performance evaluations from work or old report cards, and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
Keep in mind that for someone to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must have been evident since the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). Although an expert may only talk about the current symptoms in an assessment of diagnosis, they may require a conversation with others who knew the person as a child, and even interview their teachers or parents.
ADHD medication usually contains stimulants that appear to regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals known as Neurotransmitters. These medications are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids and patches. The stimulants can cause negative effects like difficulty sleeping, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe if used according to the doctor's prescription. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They generally work slower and have less adverse effects, however they are not suitable for everyone.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medications, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. Children and adults may try several medications and change them as their needs or circumstances change.