What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor may talk to you about whether your child or you has symptoms of ADHD. They might ask questions about your family and health background. The person will also inquire about your child's education. They may also talk to teachers, religious and scout leaders as well as coaches and other people who know your child.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they may have ADHD, the first step to get an assessment is to locate an expert in health care who has experience diagnosing ADHD. Request your family physician to refer you to someone who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person who evaluates you will ask about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They may also ask you questions about your health or work schedule, as well as school and social life. The examiner might ask you to see your old reports, performance evaluations at school or at work, and other records.
A complete assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with the person's family members as well as teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will employ a variety of instruments and rating systems to evaluate the person's ADHD and will also use standard tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples of how you behave in different situations. They will examine your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator also checks whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will consider whether the symptoms are more severe than is normal for their age or developmental level. They will assess the symptoms of a person with other people in similar situations. For instance, their peers at school or on the same 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 led to significant impairments in at least two aspects of their lives. For children, this could typically result in problems with their school work and relationships with parents and siblings. Adults may lose their job when they are unable to pay attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to people who are familiar with the person, for example, family members and friends or scout or religious leaders. They will want to know how the person behaves in different situations, including at home and other places outside of work or school.
Diagnosis
To be considered to have ADHD, you must have a minimum of 6 characteristics (symptoms) that started before age 12. These symptoms must also be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms must also interfere with your ability to function at home, school, or work. The symptoms aren't caused by a mental health disorder. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. You can download a help letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from NICE 87 guidelines that provide the reasons why you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will discuss with you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also ask you about your family as well as your educational and social background. They might also request your school records from your past, and they might want to interview teachers or others who have known you since you were a kid. The evaluator will try 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 examination can take several hours. Some adults require 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 staying focused as well as a tendency to forget 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.
Certain adults with ADHD have difficulty understanding how their disorders affect their lives and relationships. This can cause financial difficulties as well as broken or stressed marriages, and parenting problems. During the assessment the doctor may have a conversation with both the individual with ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. They might ask both of you fill out checklists that list your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD usually includes an interview with both the individual being evaluated as well as the caregivers for them, the completion of questionnaires and rating scales that compare the behavior of people suffering from ADHD against the behaviors of people who are not affected and standardized testing. For children, the examiner may also examine their school reports and request that teachers fill out questionnaires.
Those with ADHD symptoms should be prepared to explain how their symptoms affect their social, work, and home life. They should be prepared to be asked questions about how often they interrupt others or lose things and how often they don't follow through on tasks. The evaluator wants to know if these symptoms were present throughout their entire lives or if they started in childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must be experiencing significant difficulties in at least two of the following areas: work and family life, school, or social relationships. Examples of this impairment are being fired from a job, failing a class or not paying the bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can still have problems in a few areas, but they do not suffer from major disruptions.
There are many factors that can cause similar symptoms as those associated with ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A health care provider or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, medical background and other factors to rule out these possibilities.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn better ways to manage their symptoms and develop better strategies for coping. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy which teaches people to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues, such as depression or substance abuse.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can also be helpful for adults with ADHD. It can help them understand their partner and improve communication. It can also help the person they love to learn how to support them and cope with the challenges of living with someone who suffers from ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is defined by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The use of medication can help reduce the symptoms. These medications are often prescribed in combination with therapy and skills-training that can help reduce symptoms and help people function better at work, school at home, or even in their leisure activities. But, it isn't a cure and people must remain in contact with their doctor to understand how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the ideal combination of medication and dosages. However, it is important to remember that there are a variety of options.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special attention to behaviors that occur in a variety of settings, such as at school and at home. They will also inquire about the family history of the person as well as their academic and occupational background. They will request old report cards or performance evaluations and may also want to contact the person's school.
Keep in mind that for someone to be considered to have ADHD their symptoms must have begun in the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). While an expert will discuss the present symptoms during a diagnostic assessment they may require a conversation with others who knew the individual as an infant, and interview their parents or teachers.
The treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids and patches. Stimulants can cause side effects such as insomnia or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, however they generally considered safe when prescribed by a physician. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have less adverse effects, but they are not suitable for all people.
A combination of medications therapy, therapy, as well as behavior modifications are the most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms. assessment of adhd and adults may experiment with different medications and alter them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.