What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child has symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to talk to you. The doctor may inquire about your family history and health. You may also ask about the education of your child. They will also talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scout and religious leaders, as well as other people that know them well.
Signs and symptoms
Find a doctor who has experience diagnosing ADHD If you or someone you know suspects they may have it. Find a specialist in the field of mental health for children, or ask your family physician for a referral. The person doing the evaluation will begin by talking with you about your issues and how they impact your life. They may also inquire about your work, school and social activities. The examiner will want see any records you have, such as performance evaluations from your work or school, as well as old report cards.
Interviews with teachers, family members and other adults will form part of a complete evaluation. The examiner will use various ratings and questionnaires to assess the person's ADHD, including standard testing used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you behave in different situations. They will compare your behavior to DSM V ADHD criteria -hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
The evaluator also checks whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will consider whether their symptoms are significantly more severe than what is expected for their age or developmental stage. They will compare the symptoms of a particular person to those of other people in similar situations. For instance, their classmates at school or in 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. Additionally, the symptoms must have led to significant impairment in at least two major 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 inattention issues and having trouble keeping the track of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator will also speak to other people who are familiar with the person, such as relatives and friends as well as Scout or religious leaders. They will want to know about the behavior of the person in different settings as well as how they behave at home and in other settings outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD you must exhibit at least six traits (symptoms) that started before the age of 12. You also must have these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms should also be hindering you from functioning well at work, school or at home. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Print out the quotes from NICE 87 guidelines or download a letter of support from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also ask about your family and social history as well as your education and work history. They may ask for your old school records and interview teachers and other people who were with you as a child. The examiner will attempt to eliminate other possible explanations for your symptoms, and may recommend that you undergo neuropsychological tests or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Some adults require more than one visit with their physician to complete the process. The evaluator will discuss the results with you and could suggest treatments that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the inattentive type are difficulties staying focused and attentive, forgetfulness and/or 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 condition affects their lives and relationships. This can result in broken or fractured marriages, financial difficulties and problems with parenting. During the assessment the doctor may have a conversation with both the person with ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. They might ask both of you complete checklists that list your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric assessment for ADHD usually involves an interview with the person being assessed and their family members, completing questionnaires or rating scales that compare the behavior of those with ADHD to the behavior of those who don't have it, and standardized testing. For Iam Psychiatry , the evaluator might also look at their report cards and ask teachers to fill out questionnaires.
People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to talk about how their symptoms affect their work, home, and social life. Expect to be asked about how often you interrupt others, if you get lost things easily, or if you fail to complete tasks. The evaluator wants to know if the symptoms were always present or if they first started to manifest in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have significant issues in at least two of the following areas: work and family life, school or social relationships. This impairment can be demonstrated through being fired from a job, failing an educational course or not paying bills on time. People with mild ADHD symptoms can still have trouble in some areas, but they do not suffer from major disruptions.
There are a myriad of things that could trigger similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, their medical history and other factors to rule out the possibility of these conditions.
Behavioral therapy is among the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. It assists patients in developing better coping skills and learn how to manage their symptoms. 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 any underlying conditions or mental health issues such as depression and alcohol abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from couples or marital therapy. It can help them appreciate their partner's perspective and improve communication. It can assist their partner to learn how to help and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. Medications may help to reduce these symptoms. They are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training that can help reduce symptoms and allow people to function better at work, school, home or in their hobbies. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients should consult with their doctor in order to learn how best to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the best dosage of medication and dosage. However, it's important to remember that there are a variety of options.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular attention to the behaviors that happen in a variety of situations, including at school and at home. They will also ask about the person's family history and their academic and work background. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards, and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
It is crucial to remember that in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, the symptoms of the patient must have started in the earliest years of their life (technically, before age 12). Therefore, even though experts will only talk about the current symptoms during an assessment for diagnosis however, they may have to talk with other people who knew the individual as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
The treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These medications are available in different forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. They can trigger adverse effects, such as sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However, they are generally safe if following the prescriptions of a doctor. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD. They tend to be slower-acting and have less adverse effects, but not everyone should use them.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. It's not uncommon for adults and children to test different medications and then alter them over time as their needs change or they experience significant changes in their lives.