What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD Your doctor will want to talk to you. The doctor may inquire about your family history and health. You may also inquire about the education of your child. He or she may speak to teachers or scout and religious leaders as well as coaches and others who know your child.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they have ADHD the first step in getting an evaluation is to find a health care professional who has expertise in diagnosing ADHD. Ask your family doctor to refer you to someone who is an expert in children's mental healthcare. The person conducting the assessment will begin by speaking to you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also ask you questions regarding your health, work, school and social life. The examiner will want see any records you have, such as performance evaluations from your job or school and old report cards.
A thorough 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 use various ratings scales and questionnaires to evaluate the person for ADHD as well as standardized testing used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you act in different situations. They will evaluate your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator also checks whether the person's ADHD affects their daily functioning. They will determine if their symptoms are significantly more severe than is normal for their age or developmental stage. They will evaluate the individual's problems to those of other people in similar situations, like their peers at school or on a sports 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 be causing significant impairments in at least two areas of their lives. This could mean that children struggle with their schoolwork, and their relationships with their parents or siblings. For adults, it may result in losing a job because of inattention issues and difficulty keeping records of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to people who are familiar with the person such as relatives, friends and Scout leaders or religious groups. They'll want to hear about the way in which the person behaves in various situations as well as how they behave at home and in other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD it is necessary to have a minimum of 6 traits (symptoms) that began before age 12. You must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at minimum six months. The symptoms should affect your ability to function at home, school, or at work. The symptoms cannot be caused by a mental health issue. Your GP can refer an expert to conduct an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your specialist will talk with you about your issues and how they affect your life. They will also ask you about your family, social and educational background. They might also request your old school records as well as interview teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. The examiner may attempt to rule out other possible explanations of your symptoms and recommend that you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment can take several hours. Adults may have to make more than one appointment to their specialist in order to complete the evaluation. 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 as well as a tendency to forget 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 comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can cause financial difficulties, strained or broken marriages, and parenting problems. During the evaluation the doctor may have a conversation with both the person suffering from ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their symptoms affect the relationship. They may ask both of you complete checklists that list your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually includes an interview with both the person being evaluated and his or her caregivers as well as the completion of questionnaires and rating scales that compare the behavior of people suffering from ADHD with the behavior of those who do not have it, as well as standardized testing. The evaluator might also request teachers to complete questionnaires and review the report cards of the child.
Anyone suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to explain how their symptoms impact their social, work, and home 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 examiner would like to determine if these signs were present throughout their entire lives or if they first started to manifest in the early years of childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person has to have significant issues in at least two of the following areas: work and family life, school, or social relationships. Examples of this impairment include being fired from a job, not passing an exam or not paying the bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can lead to some issues, but not serious disruptions.
There are many factors that could trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the person's mood, medical background and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
adhd diagnosis assessment is among the most popular treatments for ADHD. It helps people develop better coping skills and learn how to manage their symptoms. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to transform negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also help reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues, such as depression and substance misuse.
Marital or couples therapy can also be helpful for people with ADHD. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can assist their partner to learn how to help and manage someone with ADHD.
Medication
The use of medication can aid in reducing the hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. These medications are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill-training that can help reduce symptoms and allow people to function better at work, school, home or in their hobbies. However, medication is not an effective cure, and patients must still work with their doctor to figure out how they can manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take several tries to determine the most effective combination of medication and dosages. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many options.
A specialist will talk to parents, children or an adult to understand their experiences with ADHD. They will pay focus on the behavior that occurs in various settings, such as at school and home. They will also review the person's academic and occupational background and ask questions about their life as a family. They will request old report cards or performance assessments and may also want to contact the person's school.
It is important to remember that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms of the patient must have started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12). While an expert will discuss the current symptoms during an assessment of diagnosis, they may have to talk to people who knew the patient as when they were children, and interview their teachers or parents.
ADHD medication usually contains stimulants that are believed to balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as Neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in different forms that include liquids, tablets and patches. They can trigger side effects like trouble sleeping, agitation, and a loss of appetite, however they are generally considered safe when prescribed by a physician. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They are generally slower acting and have less adverse effects, however not everyone should take them.
A combination of medication therapy, therapy, and behavioral modifications are the most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms. Children and adults may test a variety of medications and then alter them depending on their needs or the circumstances change.