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 about your family history and health. They may also ask about your child's school experience. He or she will speak to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts and religious leaders, as well as other people who know them well.
Signs and symptoms
Find a health professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD If you or someone you love suspects they may have it. Request your family physician to refer you to someone who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person doing the evaluation will begin by speaking with you about your issues and how they affect your life. They might also inquire about your school, work, and social life. The examiner will want examine any documents you have, like performance evaluations from work or school, as well as old report cards.
Interviews with family members, teachers as well as other adults will be a part of a full assessment. The examiner will employ a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD, including standardized testing used in school evaluations. They will also require you to give examples of how you act in different situations. They will also compare your behavior with the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The evaluator will check if the ADHD affects the person's daily functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and development level. They will also compare the person's problems to similar issues of other people in similar situations, like their peers in 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. The symptoms must also have caused significant impairments in at least two aspects of their lives. For children, this will typically mean issues with their school work and relationships with parents and siblings. Adults may lose their job in the event that they struggle to pay attention or keeping track of their bills and paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to people who are familiar with the person, such as relatives and friends and religious or scout leaders. They'll want to hear about the way in which the person behaves in various settings, as well as how they behave at home and in other places outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must be able to show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before 12 years of age. The symptoms must be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms should also be in the way of functioning well at work, school or at home. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental health condition. Your GP can refer you to an expert to have an assessment. You can download a help 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 specialist will talk with you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also ask about your family history and social background as well as your educational and work history. They may ask for your school records from the past and interview teachers or other people who were with you as a child. The examiner will attempt to determine if there is a different explanation for your symptoms and may suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment may take a long time. Some adults may need to make more than one visit 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 type of ADHD that is inattentive is defined by a lack of attention and staying focused, as well as 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 comprehend how their symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial difficulties and broken or strained relationships, and parental issues. During the assessment the clinician will talk with the ADHD person and their spouse or partner to learn how their problems impact the relationship. They might have both of you fill out checklists that list your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically involves an interview with both the individual being assessed and his or her caregivers and the submission of questionnaires and rating scales which compare the behaviors of those with ADHD and the behaviors of people who are not affected, as well as standardized testing. The evaluator may also request teachers to complete questionnaires and look at the reports of the child.
Anyone suffering from symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their work, home, and social life. online adhd assessment should expect to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things, and how often they don't follow through on tasks. The examiner will want to know if these signs were present from the beginning or if they began in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12).
A person must have significant issues in two or more of the following areas to be classified with ADHD: work and school family relationships or social interactions. This condition can be demonstrated by being fired from a job, failing a course, or not paying your bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can still have problems in a few areas, but don't have major issues.
Physical and emotional stress can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A mental health healthcare professional or health care professional will assess the person's mood, medical history, and other aspects to rule out these causes.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. It helps people learn more effective ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective techniques for coping. It could include cognitive behavior therapy which teaches people to transform negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also aid in reducing the negative effects of any underlying illness or mental health issues like depression and substance misuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from marital or couples therapy. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can also help their partner learn to help them and cope with the challenges of living with someone with ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is defined by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. Certain medications can help reduce these symptoms. They are often prescribed along with therapy and skill training that can help improve symptoms and allow people to perform better at home, school at work, at home or in their activities. It is not a cure-all and patients should consult with their physician to learn how best to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may require a few attempts to determine the best combination of medications and dosages however, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are a myriad of alternatives.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special attention to behaviors that occur in several settings, such as at home and in school. They will also look at the person's academic and occupational history and ask questions about their life as a family. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards, and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
Keep in mind that for someone to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must have begun in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12). Although an expert will only talk about the current symptoms in an assessment for diagnosis, they might have to talk to people who knew the patient as when they were children, and interview their parents or teachers.
ADHD medication typically contains stimulants that appear to regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals called Neurotransmitters. They are available in a variety of forms, including liquids, tablets and patches. The stimulants can cause negative effects like sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe if taken according to doctor's instructions. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine and other antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-acting and have fewer adverse effects, but not everyone should take them.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. It is not uncommon for adults and children to test different medications and then alter them as their needs change or they experience significant life changes.