What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child has symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to speak with you. They may ask about your family health history and your family history. You might also inquire about the schooling of your child. He or she will talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts and religious leaders, and other people who know them well.
Signs and symptoms
Find a doctor who has experience diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you know thinks they might be suffering from it. Look for someone who specializes in children's mental health, or ask your family doctor for a referral. The person conducting the assessment will begin by speaking to you about your concerns and how they impact your life. They might also ask questions about your health as well as your work, school, and social life. The examiner may ask to see your old report cards, performance evaluations at school or at work, as well as other documents.
A full assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person, teachers and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will utilize a variety of ratings and questionnaires to assess the person's ADHD as well as standard tests 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 impulsivity.
The evaluator will determine if the ADHD hinders the individual's daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than expected for their age and development level. They will compare the symptoms of a particular person to those of other people in similar situations. For instance, their peers 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. The symptoms must have caused significant impairments in at least two areas of their lives. For children, this can typically mean issues with their schoolwork and relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it could result in losing a job because of difficulty paying attention and difficulty keeping track of paperwork or bills.
The evaluator may also speak to other people who are familiar with the person like relatives, friends and Scout or religious leaders. great post to read will want to know about the way in which the person behaves in different settings as well as how they behave at home and at other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD you must exhibit at least six traits (symptoms) that began prior to the age of 12. These symptoms must also be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms should affect your ability to perform at school, at home, or at work. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor can recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. You can download a support letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP, or print quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your health issues and how they impact your life. They will also ask you about your family, social and educational history. They might also request your school records from your past and may want to interview teachers or other people who know you from when you were a child. The evaluator might try to rule out other possible explanations of your symptoms and suggest you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination could take several hours. Certain adults may need to make more than one visit with their doctor to complete the evaluation. 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 inattentive form of ADHD is characterised by difficulties paying attention and remaining 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 divorce or separation or financial problems, as well as issues with parenting. During the assessment the clinician will talk with the ADHD person as well as their partner or spouse to determine how their issues impact the relationship. They might 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 their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires and rating scales that compare the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those of people without it and tests that are standardized. The evaluator may also request teachers to complete questionnaires and examine the reports of the child.
Those with ADHD symptoms must be prepared to explain how their symptoms affect their work, social 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 will want to know if these signs have always been there or if they first started in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12).
A person must experience significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work family relationships, or social interactions. Examples of this impairment are being fired from a job, not passing an exam, or not paying bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can have problems in a few areas, but they do not have major issues.
There are many things that can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate the person's mood, their medical background and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is among the most popular treatments for ADHD. It helps patients learn how to better manage their symptoms and develop better techniques for coping. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues, such as depression and alcohol abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from marital or couples therapy. It can help them understand their partner's viewpoint and improve their communication. It can also help the person they love to learn how to support them and deal with the difficulties of living with someone who suffers from ADHD.
Medication
Medicines can aid in the hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. These medications are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training which can reduce symptoms and allow people to function better at school, work at home, or in their activities. However, medications are not a cure and people must still work with their doctor to understand how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could require a few attempts to find the right dosage of medication and dosage but it is crucial to remember that there are many alternatives.
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 several situations, including at home and in school. They will also inquire about the family history of the person and their academic and work background. They will request old reports or performance evaluations and may also contact the person's school.
It is important to keep in mind that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms of the patient must have begun in the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). While an expert will discuss the current symptoms during an assessment of diagnosis, they may have to talk to people who knew the person as a child, and even interview their parents or teachers.
Medication to treat ADHD typically includes stimulants, which are believed to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They are available in a variety of forms including tablets, liquids and patches. Stimulants may cause side effects such as sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However, they are generally safe if used according to the doctor's prescription. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants can also be used to treat ADHD. They typically work slower and have less side negative effects, but they aren't recommended for all people.
A combination of medication therapy, therapy, and behavioral changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children may test a variety of medications and then alter them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.