What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to speak with you. He or she might ask about your family health history and your family history. You may also inquire about the schooling of your child. They may also speak to teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches, and other people who know your child.
Symptoms
Find a healthcare professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you love thinks they might be suffering from it. Look for someone who specializes in the field of mental health for children, or ask your family doctor for an appointment. 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 work, school and social activities. The examiner could ask you to see your old reports, performance evaluations at work or school, and other documents.
Interviews with teachers, family members as well as other adults will be part of a complete evaluation. The examiner will utilize a variety of instruments and rating systems to evaluate the person's ADHD as well as standard tests used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you behave in different 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 if the ADHD affects the person's daily activities. 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 problems to the experiences of others in similar situations, like 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. This could mean that children have problems with schoolwork, as well as their relationships with their parents or siblings. Adults could lose their job if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of their bills and paperwork.
The evaluator can also talk to people who are familiar with the person, for example, friends and family members or religious or scout leaders. They will be interested in knowing what the person's behavior is in various situations, including at home, as well as other places beyond school or work.
Diagnosis
You must have at least six traits (symptoms), which began before 12 years of age. These symptoms must also be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms should also interfere with your ability to function at home, school, or at work. The symptoms can not be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor may recommend you to an expert to conduct an assessment. You can download a support letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from the NICE 87's guideline to describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will discuss with you about your health issues and how they affect your life. They will also ask you about your family as well as your educational and social background. They may ask for your school records from your past and may want to interview teachers or other people who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator will eliminate other possible explanations for your symptoms, and may suggest that you undergo neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take several hours. Some adults require more than one visit with their specialist to complete the evaluation. The evaluator will go over the results with you and could suggest treatments that could help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The inattentive form of ADHD is characterized by difficulty paying attention and remaining focused and also by 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 condition affects their lives and relationships. This can result in strained or dissolved marriages as well as financial issues and problems with parenting. During the assessment, the clinician may talk with both the individual with ADHD and their spouse or partner to understand how their symptoms affect the relationship. You might be asked to complete checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD usually involves 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 behavior of those who do not have it and tests that are standardized. In the case of children, the evaluator may take a look at their report cards and ask for teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Those who have symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to talk about how their symptoms affect their work at home, social, and personal life. They should be prepared to be asked questions like how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things and how often they fail to follow through on tasks. The evaluator wants to know if these symptoms were always present or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person has to be experiencing significant difficulties in at least two of the following areas: work and school, family life or social interactions. Examples of this are getting fired from a job, not passing an exam, or not paying bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms may still experience trouble in some areas, but they do not suffer from major disruptions.
Stress and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A health care professional or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, medical history and other factors to rule out these possibilities.
Behavioral therapy is among the most common treatments for ADHD. It helps people 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 change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It can also help reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues like depression and substance misuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from couples or marital therapy. 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 difficulties of living with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. They are often prescribed in combination with therapy and skills-training which can reduce symptoms and allow people to function better at work, school at home, or even in their leisure activities. Medication is not a panacea and patients need to consult with their physician to learn how best to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take a few times to determine the best dosage and combination of medications but it is crucial to keep in mind that there are a variety of choices.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular focus on the behavior that occurs in a variety of settings, such as at home and in school. adhd assessments uk will also ask about the person's family history as well as their academic and occupational background. They will request old report cards or performance evaluations and may also talk to the person's teacher.
Keep in mind that for someone to be considered to have ADHD their symptoms must have been evident since the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). So, although an expert will only speak about the current symptoms during an assessment of diagnosis however, they may have to talk with other people who knew the child, and could even speak with the person's parents or teachers.
ADHD medication typically contains stimulants that are believed to regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals called Neurotransmitters. They are available in a variety of forms including tablets, liquids and patches. They can trigger side effects like trouble sleeping or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, but generally considered safe when they are prescribed by a physician. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They typically work slower and have less adverse effects, however they aren't recommended for everyone.
A combination of medications therapy, therapy, and behavioral changes are most effective in treating ADHD symptoms. It is not uncommon for adults and children to try various medications and alter them as their needs change or they experience significant changes in their lives.