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 questions about your family and health background. He or she will also ask about your child's school experience. They may also speak to teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches, and others who know your child.
Signs and symptoms
Find a health professional who is experienced in diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you know suspects that they have it. Ask your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who is an expert in children's mental healthcare. The person evaluating you will start by asking about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They might also inquire about your school, work and social life. The examiner might ask you to see your old reports or performance evaluations from school or at work, and other records.
Interviews with family members, teachers, and other adults will form part of a comprehensive evaluation. The examiner will utilize a variety of ratings and questionnaires to evaluate the person's ADHD as well as standard tests used in school evaluations. Home Page will also ask you to give 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 inattention, hyperactivity and.
The examiner will determine whether the ADHD hinders the individual'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 assess a person's symptoms to other people in similar situations. For instance, they will compare their peers 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. In addition, the signs must have caused significant impairment in at least two important settings in their life. For children, this will usually mean problems in their schoolwork and relationships with their parents and siblings. Adults may lose their job when they are unable to pay attention or keeping track of their bills and paperwork.
The evaluator can also talk to people who are familiar with the individual, such as friends and family members or religious or scout leaders. They will want to know about how the person acts in various situations and also how they behave at home and in other settings outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must have at least six traits (symptoms) that began before 12 years of age. These symptoms must also be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms should also be hindering you from functioning well at work, school, and/or home. The symptoms aren't caused by a mental health condition. Your GP can refer to a specialist for an assessment. You can download a help letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from NICE 87's guideline to explain why you should have an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also ask you about your family education, social and academic background. They may request your school records from the past and may need to speak with teachers or other people who know you from when you were a child. The examiner may attempt to rule out other explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment can take several hours. Certain adults require more than one appointment with their doctor to complete the procedure. The evaluator will go over the results with you, and could suggest treatments that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The type of ADHD that is inattentive is characterized by difficulty paying attention and staying focused, as well as forgetfulness and/or a lack of organization 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.
A few adults with ADHD are unable to understand how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can result in financial problems as well as broken or stressed marriages, and parenting problems. During the assessment, a psychologist may talk with the ADHD person and their spouse or partner to learn how their problems impact the relationship. You may be asked to fill in checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD typically involves an interview with the person being evaluated as well as their caregivers, completion of questionnaires or rating scales which compare behavior of people suffering from ADHD to those of people who do not have it, and standardized tests. For children, the evaluator may take a look at their reports and ask for teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Anyone suffering from symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to talk about how their symptoms affect their work, home, and social life. They should be prepared to be asked questions like how often they interrupt others and how easily they lose things and how often they don't follow through on their tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know whether these symptoms are present for all time or if they first started in childhood (technically before the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have significant problems in at least two of the following areas: work and school, family life, or social relationships. This can be proven by being fired from a job, failing a course or not paying your bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can have trouble in some areas, but don't experience major disruptions.
There are many factors that could trigger similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A mental health specialist or health care professional will examine the person's mood, medical history and other aspects to rule these out.
Behavioral therapy is among the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. It helps patients learn how to better manage their symptoms and develop more effective techniques for coping. It can include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts. It can also reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them comprehend their partner's viewpoint and improve their communication. It can assist their partner to know how to support and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The use of medication can help reduce these symptoms. They are often prescribed along with skill training and therapy which can ease symptoms and allow people to perform better at school, home at work, at home or in their activities. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients should consult with their doctor to understand the best way to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may require a few attempts to determine the best dosage and combination of medications, but it is important to remember that there are a variety of choices.
A specialist will interview a parent, child or adult to learn about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay attention to the behaviors that occur in various settings, such as at school and home. They will also ask about the family history of the person and their academic and occupational background. 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 to be diagnosed with ADHD the person's symptoms must have started in childhood (technically, before age 12). Although an expert may only discuss the present symptoms during an assessment of diagnosis, they may need to speak to others who knew the patient as when they were children, and interview their teachers or parents.
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 liquids, tablets, and patches. Stimulants can cause side effects such as insomnia, agitation, and a loss of appetite, but generally, they are safe when they are prescribed by a doctor. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have less adverse effects, but they are not suitable for everyone.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. It's not uncommon for adults and children to take different medications and then alter them as their needs change or they experience significant changes in their lives.