What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will talk to you if you or your child has symptoms of ADHD. They may ask about your family history and health. They may also inquire about your child's school life. He or she may talk to teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches, and other people who know your child well.
Signs and symptoms
Find a doctor with experience in diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you love suspects that they have it. Find a specialist in the field of mental health for children, or ask your family doctor for an appointment. The person who will conduct the assessment will begin by talking with you about your issues and how they impact your life. They might also inquire about your school, work and social activities. The examiner might ask you to see your old report cards or performance evaluations from school or at work, and other documents.
Interviews with teachers, family members and other adults will be a part of a comprehensive assessment. The examiner will utilize a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you act in various situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- hyperactivity, inattention and inattention, hyperactivity and.
The evaluator will determine whether the ADHD interferes with the person's daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and development level. They will also compare the person's issues to those of other people in similar situations, such as their classmates at school or on 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. In addition, the signs must have led to significant impairment in at least two significant settings in their life. For children, this can typically mean issues with their schoolwork and relationships with their parents and siblings. For adults, it could be a loss of a job as a result of inattention issues and having trouble keeping track of paperwork or bills.
The evaluator may also talk to people who know the person well, such as relatives and friends as well as Scout leaders or religious groups. They will want to hear about the behavior of the person in various situations as well as how they behave at home and at other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be considered to have ADHD, you must have at least 6 traits (symptoms) that began prior to the age of 12. Additionally, you must be experiencing these symptoms ongoingly for at minimum six months. The symptoms should also affect your ability to function at school, at home, or at work. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental health issue. Your doctor can recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. You can print quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines or download the letter of support from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.
Your specialist will discuss your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also ask about your family and social history, and your educational and work history. They might request your old school records and may need to speak with teachers or others who have known you since you were a kid. you can try this out will try to rule out other possible explanations for your symptoms, and may recommend that you undergo neuropsychological tests or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment may take a long time. Certain adults require more than one appointment with their specialist to complete the evaluation. The evaluation will discuss the results with you and could suggest treatments that could be beneficial.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The ADHD that is inattentive is defined by a lack of attention and remaining focused and also by forgetfulness or a lack of 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.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are unable to comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to strained or dissolved marriages as well as financial issues and problems with parenting. During the assessment, a psychologist may talk with the ADHD person as well as their partner or spouse to determine how their issues influence the relationship. You may be asked to complete checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with both the individual being assessed and their caregivers and the submission of questionnaires and rating scales comparing behaviors of people with ADHD with the behaviors of people who are not affected and tests that are standardized. In the case of children, the evaluator might also examine their school reports and ask teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Those who have symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their work as well as home and social life. They should expect to be asked questions about how often they interrupt others or lose things, and how often they don't follow through on tasks. The examiner wants to know if the symptoms were always present or if they started in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
A person must have significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD including school and work life, family relationships or social interactions. Examples of this impairment include being fired from a job, failing a class or not paying the bills on time. People with mild ADHD symptoms may still experience trouble in some areas, but they do not experience major disruptions.
Stress and physical ailments can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A health care provider or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, medical background and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most common treatments for ADHD. It assists patients in developing more effective coping skills and understand how to manage their symptoms. It may include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues like depression and addiction to drugs.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them appreciate their partner's viewpoint and improve their communication. It can also help the person they love to learn to help them and cope with the challenges of living with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterised by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The use of medication can help alleviate these symptoms. These medications are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill-training which can reduce symptoms and help people perform better at school, work at home, or in their activities. However, medications are not an effective cure, and patients must still work with their doctor to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take a few times to find the right dosage and combination of medications but it is crucial to remember that there are many options.
An experienced specialist will interview the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special focus on the behavior that occurs in various situations, including at home and in school. They will also review the person's academic and occupational background and ask questions about their life as a family. They will usually request performance evaluations from their workplace or old reports and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
Be aware that in order for a person to be considered to have ADHD their symptoms must have been evident since the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12). So, while experts will only talk about current symptoms when conducting an assessment for diagnosis, they will likely require the assistance of others who knew the person as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
Medication to treat ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They are available in various forms like liquids, tablets and patches. They can trigger side effects such as insomnia, agitation, and a loss of appetite, but generally considered safe when prescribed by a doctor. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine and other antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. They typically work slower and have fewer side negative effects, but they are not suitable for all people.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication as well as behavior therapy and behavioral changes. It is not uncommon for adults and children to try different medications and then alter them as their needs change or when they experience significant changes in their lives.