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 questions about family and health background. You may also inquire about the schooling of your child. They may also talk to teachers, religious and scout leaders as well as coaches and other people who know your child.
Signs and symptoms
Find a health professional who is experienced in diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you know suspects that they have it. Request your family physician to refer you to a doctor who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person who will conduct the assessment will begin by talking to you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also ask questions about your health or work schedule, as well as school and social life. The examiner may ask to see your old report cards or performance evaluations from work or school, and other documents.
Interviews with teachers, family members and other adults will be a part of a full evaluation. The examiner will utilize a variety of ratings and questionnaires to assess the person's ADHD, including standard testing used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to give examples of how you act in different situations. They will then compare your behavior with the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The evaluator will also determine whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than is expected for their age and development level. They will assess the symptoms of a person with others in similar situations. For instance, their classmates at school or on 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 led to significant impairment in at least two important settings in their life. This usually means that children have problems with their schoolwork and their relationships with parents or siblings. For adults, it may mean losing a job because of a lack of attention and trouble keeping the track of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator can also talk to those who are acquainted with the person, such as family members and friends or scout leaders from religious or scout groups. They will be looking to find out how the person behaves in various situations, including at home and in other settings outside of work or school.
Diagnosis
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD you must exhibit a minimum of 6 characteristics (symptoms) that started before the age of 12. These symptoms must also be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms must also affect your ability to perform at home, school, or at work. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor may refer you to an expert for 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 issues and how they affect your life. They will also inquire about your family, social and educational background. They may ask for your old school records, and they might need to speak with teachers or others who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator will 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 can take several hours. Certain adults may need to make more than one appointment to their physician to complete the procedure. 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 include trouble 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.
Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to comprehend how their symptoms interfere with their lives and relationships. This can result in broken or fractured marriages as well as financial issues and problems with parenting. During the assessment the therapist may speak with both the individual with ADHD and their spouse or partner to get a better understanding of how their symptoms impact the relationship. add adhd assessment may be asked to fill out checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD usually includes an interview with both the individual being evaluated as well as their caregivers and the submission of rating scales and questionnaires comparing behaviors of people with ADHD against the behaviors of people who are not affected and tests that are standardized. The evaluator will also request teachers to complete questionnaires and examine the report cards of the child.
Those with ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their ADHD symptoms affect their social, work and family life. They should be prepared to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things and how often they fail to follow through on tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know if these symptoms are present for all time, or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must be experiencing significant difficulties in at least two of the following areas: work and family life, school or social interactions. Examples of this disorder are being fired from a job, failing in a class or not making payments on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some problems, but not major disruptions.
There are many things that can trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the person's mood, their medical history and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for ADHD. It assists people in learning how to better manage their symptoms and develop more effective coping skills. It may include cognitive behavioral therapy which teaches people to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying condition or mental health issues like depression and substance misuse.
Marital or couples therapy can be helpful for those with ADHD. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can assist their partner to understand how to support and cope with someone with ADHD.
Medication
The use of medication can aid in reducing the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of ADHD. They are often prescribed along with therapy and skill training which can ease symptoms and allow people to perform better at home, school, work, or in their hobbies. However, medications are not an answer to all problems and people should still work with their doctor to understand how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the ideal combination of medication and dosages. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that there are a variety of alternatives.
An experienced specialist will interview the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special attention to behaviors that occur in various settings, such as at school and at home. They will also review the person's academic and occupational history and ask questions about their family life. They typically request performance evaluations from the workplace or old reports and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
It is crucial to remember that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the person's symptoms must have been present since childhood (technically prior to age 12). While an expert will discuss the current symptoms during an assessment for diagnosis, they might have to talk to people who knew the individual as a child, and even interview their parents or teachers.
The treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which are believed to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These medications are available in various forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. Stimulants may cause negative effects like sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However, they are generally safe when following the prescriptions of a doctor. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants are also prescribed to treat ADHD. They generally have a slower effect and have fewer adverse effects, but not everyone should use them.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. It is not uncommon for adults and children to try various medications and alter them over time as their needs change or when they experience significant life changes.