What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child has symptoms of ADHD your doctor will want to talk to you. He or she might ask about your family history and health. They may also inquire about the schooling of your child. They might speak to teachers as well as religious and scout leaders as well as coaches and others who know your child.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know thinks they might have ADHD, the first step in obtaining an evaluation is to find an expert in the field who has experience diagnosing 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 begin by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also ask questions regarding your health as well as your work, school, and social life. The examiner will want to see any records you have, like performance evaluations from your work or school as well as your old report cards.
A thorough evaluation of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person, teachers and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will employ a variety of questions and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to give examples on how you behave in different situations. They will compare your behavior to the DSM V ADHD criteria -hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The examiner will determine whether the ADHD interferes with the person's daily functioning. They will consider whether their symptoms are significantly more severe than expected for their age or developmental stage. They will evaluate the individual's problems to similar issues of other people in similar situations, like their peers in school or on a sports 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 have led to significant impairments in at least two different areas of their lives. For children, this can usually mean problems in their school work and relationships with parents and siblings. Adults could lose their jobs if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator will also talk to other people who are familiar with the person, such as relatives and friends and Scout leaders or religious groups. They will want to hear about the behavior of the person in various situations as well as how they behave at home and at other places outside of work or school.
Diagnosis
You must be able to show at least six traits (symptoms) that started before 12 years of age. The symptoms must be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms should also be impeding your ability to function effectively at work, school, and/or home. The symptoms cannot be caused by another mental health condition. Your GP can refer you to a specialist for an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print the quotes from the NICE 87 guideline that provide the reasons why you should undergo an assessment.
Your specialist will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also inquire about your family, social and educational history. adhd diagnosis assessment might also request your old school records and interview teachers and other people who knew you as a child. The evaluator may try to rule out other explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take several hours. Certain adults may need to make more than one visit with their doctor to complete the process. The evaluator will discuss the results with you and may suggest treatments that could help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the type that is inattentive include difficulty staying focused and attentive, forgetfulness and/or poor ability to organize. 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 comprehend how their symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can cause financial difficulties and broken or strained marriages, and parenting problems. During the examination, the clinician may talk with both the person with ADHD and their partner or spouse to understand how their symptoms impact the relationship. You may be asked to complete checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric assessment for ADHD usually includes an interview with both the person being evaluated and the caregivers for them and the submission of questionnaires and rating scales comparing behaviors of people with ADHD with those of people without it and standardized testing. For children, the evaluator may take a look at their reports and ask teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Anyone suffering from ADHD symptoms must be prepared to explain how their symptoms impact their work, social and family life. They should be prepared to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others and how easily they lose things and how often they don't follow through on their tasks. The examiner wants to determine if these signs were present throughout their entire lives or if they first started to manifest in the early years of childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must have significant problems in at least two of the following areas: work, family life, school or social relationships. This impairment can be demonstrated by being fired from a job, failing an educational course, or not paying your bills in time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some issues, but they are not major disruptions.
There are many factors that could trigger similar symptoms as those associated with ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A mental health healthcare professional or health care professional will evaluate the person’s mood, medical history, and other variables to rule these out.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for ADHD. It assists people in developing better coping skills and learn how to manage their symptoms. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to transform negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues, like depression and addiction to drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from couples or marital therapy. It can help them understand their partner and improve communication. It can assist their partner to understand how to support and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD. They are often prescribed along with therapy and training, which can improve symptoms and help people function better at home, school, work or in their leisure activities. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients need to consult with their doctor in order to determine the best method to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the ideal dosage and combination of medications. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many alternatives.
A specialist will interview a child, parent or an adult to find out about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay particular 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 will request old report cards or performance assessments and may also talk to the person's teacher.
It is important to keep in mind that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the person's symptoms must have been present since the earliest years of their life (technically prior to age 12). Although an expert will only discuss the present symptoms during an assessment for diagnosis, they might have to talk to people who knew the person as an infant, and interview their parents or teachers.
Medication to treat ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in different forms that include liquids, tablets and patches. They can trigger side effects such as trouble sleeping or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, but are generally considered safe when they are prescribed by a physician. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-acting and have fewer adverse effects, but not everyone should use them.
A combination of medication, therapy, and behavior changes are most effective in treating ADHD symptoms. It is not uncommon for children and adults to try multiple medications and change them as their needs change or when they experience significant life changes.