What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child have symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to talk to you. He or she might ask about your family health history and your family history. He or she may also inquire about the schooling of your child. He or she will talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts, and religious leaders, as well as other people who know them well.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you know thinks they have ADHD the first step to get an assessment is to locate a health care professional who has experience diagnosing the condition. Look for someone who specializes in the field of mental health for children, or ask your family physician for an appointment. The person who will conduct the assessment will begin by talking to you about your concerns and how they impact your life. They might also ask questions about your health or work schedule, as well as school and social life. The examiner may ask to see your old report cards and performance evaluations at school or at work, and other documents.
Interviews with family members, teachers as well as other adults will be a part of a full evaluation. The examiner will employ a variety of questions and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD as well as standardized testing used in school evaluations. You will be asked to give examples on how you behave in different situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- inattention, hyperactivity and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator also checks whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than is normal for their age or developmental stage. They will compare the person's issues to the experiences of others 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 symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two important situations in their lives. This will typically mean that children have problems with their schoolwork, and their relationships with parents or siblings. Adults may lose their job in the event that they struggle to pay attention or keeping track of bills and paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to other people who know the person well such as relatives, friends as well as Scout or religious leaders. They will want to know what the person's behavior is in various situations, such as at home, as well as other places other than school or work.
Diagnosis
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD you must exhibit at least six traits (symptoms) that began before age 12. The symptoms must be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms must also become hindering you from functioning well at school, work or at home. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental health condition. Your doctor may refer you an expert to conduct an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP, or print quotes from NICE 87's guideline to describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also ask you about your family, social and educational history. They might also ask for your old school records and may be interested in interviewing teachers or other people who know you from when you were a child. The evaluator might try to rule out other explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Certain adults may need to make more than one appointment to their specialist in order to complete the procedure. The evaluator will go over the results with you and could suggest treatments that could be beneficial.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the type that is inattentive include difficulties staying focused and attentive and forgetfulness as well as poor 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 cannot comprehend how their symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial difficulties, strained or broken marriages, and parenting problems. During the assessment, a clinician may speak with the ADHD person as well as their partner or spouse to learn how their problems affect the relationship. You may be asked to fill in checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric assessment for ADHD usually involves an interview with the person being assessed and their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires or rating scales that measure the behaviors of people with ADHD to those of people who don't have it, as well as standardized testing. The evaluator will also ask teachers to fill out questionnaires and review the report cards of the child.
Those with ADHD symptoms should be prepared to explain how their symptoms impact their social, work and personal life. Expect to be asked how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, or if you are unable to finish tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know whether these signs are present for all time or if they first started in the early years of childhood (technically before age 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must have significant problems in at least two of the following areas: work, school, family life or social relationships. Examples of this impairment include being fired from a job, failing a class, or not paying bills on time. People with mild ADHD symptoms can have trouble in some areas, but don't experience major disruptions.
There are many things that could trigger similar symptoms as those associated with ADHD such as physical ailments and stress. A mental health healthcare professional or health care professional will evaluate the person’s mood, medical history, and other aspects to rule these out.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It assists people in learning more effective ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective techniques for coping. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches how to transform negative thinking into positive thoughts. It can also help reduce the effects of any underlying condition or mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to drugs.
Marital or couples therapy can also be helpful for those who suffer from ADHD. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can also help their partner know how to support and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. These medications are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training which can reduce symptoms and help people perform better at school, work, home or in their activities. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients must work with their doctor in order to learn how best 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 keep in mind that there are a variety of options.
A specialist will interview parents, children or an adult to understand 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 as well as their academic and occupational background. They typically request performance evaluations from their workplace or old report cards and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
Be aware that in order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD their symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12). Therefore, even though an expert will only speak about the current symptoms during a diagnostic assessment however, they may have to talk with other people who knew the person as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
Medication to treat ADHD typically includes stimulants, which appear to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These medications are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids and patches. like it can cause adverse effects such as insomnia, agitation, and a loss of appetite, however they generally, they are safe when they are prescribed by a doctor. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants can also be used to treat ADHD. They are generally slower acting and have less negative effects, however not everyone should use them.
A combination of medication therapy, therapy, and behavioral changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. Children and adults may test a variety of medications and then alter them as their needs or circumstances change.
