What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to talk to you. They might ask questions about your family and health background. They may also ask about the education of your child. They will also talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts, and religious leaders, as well as other people who know them well.
Signs and symptoms
Find a doctor who has experience diagnosing ADHD If you or someone you know suspects they may have it. Ask your family doctor to recommend you to a specialist who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person evaluating you will begin by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They might also inquire about your work, school and social life. The examiner may ask to see your old reports or performance evaluations from work or school, and other documents.
Interviews with teachers, family members and other adults will be part of a full assessment. The examiner will employ a variety of instruments and rating systems to evaluate the person's ADHD, including standard testing used in school evaluations. They will also require you to provide examples of how you act in different situations. They will evaluate 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 hinders their daily functioning. They will also consider whether their symptoms are significantly more severe than what is expected for their age or developmental stage. They will also compare the person's issues to those of other people in similar situations, for example their peers 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. The symptoms must also have caused significant impairments in at least two different areas of their lives. For children, this will usually mean problems in their schoolwork as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. Adults could lose their jobs if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of bills and paperwork.
The evaluator will also speak to other people who know the person well, such as relatives and friends, as well as Scout leaders or religious groups. They will want to hear about how the person acts in various settings, as well as how they behave at home and at other places outside of work or school.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD you must exhibit at least 6 characteristics (symptoms) that started before the age of 12. These symptoms must also be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms should also be impeding your ability to function effectively at work, school or at home. The symptoms cannot be caused by another mental health disorder. Your GP can refer an expert to conduct an assessment. Print out the quotations from NICE 87 guidelines or download a letter of support from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will also inquire about your family and social history as well as your educational and work history. They might ask for your old school records and may also need to speak with teachers or others who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator may try to rule out any other possible explanations for your symptoms and suggest you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment may take a long time. Some adults require more than one appointment with their doctor to complete the procedure. The evaluator will discuss the results with you and may suggest treatment options that could help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The signs of the inattentive type are difficulties staying focused and attentive or forgetfulness, as well as poor 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.
Some adults with ADHD cannot comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can cause financial problems as well as broken or stressed marriages, and parenting problems. During the assessment the therapist may speak with both the person with ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. You may be asked to fill in checklists describing 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 rating scales and questionnaires which compare the behaviors of those with ADHD against the behaviors of people who are not affected and standardized testing. The evaluator will also request teachers to complete questionnaires and look at the report cards of the child.
Those with ADHD symptoms should be prepared to explain how their symptoms impact 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 fail to follow through on tasks. The examiner will want to know if these signs are present for all time or if they first started in childhood (technically before age 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must have significant issues in at least two of the following areas: work, family life, school or social relationships. Examples of this impairment are getting fired from a job, not passing in a class, or not paying bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some problems, but not major disruptions.
Stress and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate the person's mood, their medical background and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn better ways to manage their symptoms and develop better coping skills. It can include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts. It can also reduce the effects of conditions that are underlying and mental health issues, such as substance abuse or depression.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can be helpful for those who suffer from ADHD. It can help them understand their partner and improve their communication. It can assist their partner to learn how to help and cope with someone with ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterised by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The use of medication can help reduce these symptoms. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training, which can improve symptoms and allow people to function better at school, home at work, at home, or in their hobbies. However, medications are not an answer to all problems and people should still work with their doctor to understand how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take several attempts to find the best dosage and combination of medications. However, it is important to remember that there are many options.
An experienced specialist will interview the parent, child, or adult about their experiences with ADHD and pay particular attention to the behaviors that happen in various settings, such as at school and at home. They will also ask about the person's family history and their academic and work background. They will usually request performance evaluations from work or old report cards and will be looking to speak with the person's teachers.
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). So, although an expert will only speak about current symptoms when conducting an assessment for diagnosis it is likely that they will have to talk with other people who knew the individual as a child and might even talk to the person's teachers or parents.
Medication to treat ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They are available in a variety of forms including tablets, liquids, and patches. The stimulants can cause negative effects like sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe when used according to the doctor's prescription. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants can also be used for ADHD. affordable adhd assessment are generally slower acting and have less adverse effects, but not everyone should take them.
A combination of medication therapy, therapy, as well as behavior changes are most effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children may test a variety of medications and then alter them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.