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 may ask questions about family and health background. adhd assessment near me or she might also inquire about the schooling of your child. They may also meet with teachers or scout and religious leaders, coaches, and others who know your child.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you know thinks they may have ADHD, the first step to get an assessment is to locate an expert in the field who has experience diagnosing ADHD. Find a doctor who is specialized in children's mental health, or ask your family doctor for an appointment. The person who evaluates you will begin by asking about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They may also ask questions about your health or work schedule, as well as school and social life. The examiner could ask you to see your old report cards and performance evaluations at school or at work, as well as other documents.
Interviews with teachers, family members and other adults will be a part of a complete evaluation. The examiner will use different questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to give examples of your behavior in different situations. They will also compare your behavior to the DSM V ADHD criteria -hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
The examiner will determine whether the ADHD affects the person's daily activities. They will also consider whether their symptoms are significantly more severe than is normal for their age or development. They will compare the person's issues to those of other people in similar situations, such as 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. In addition, the signs must have led to significant impairment in at least two important situations in their lives. For children, this will typically mean issues with their schoolwork and relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it could result in losing a job because of inattention issues and trouble keeping the track of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to other people who know the person well such as relatives, friends and Scout or religious leaders. They'll want to hear about how the person acts in various settings and also how they behave at home and in other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD it is necessary to have at least 6 characteristics (symptoms) that first appeared before age 12. You must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at minimum six months. The symptoms should also be in the way of functioning well at school, work or at home. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental health condition. Your GP can recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP, or print quotes from the NICE 87's guideline to provide the reasons why you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your health issues and how they affect your life. They will also inquire about your family and social history as well as your education and work history. They may ask for your old school records as well as interview teachers or other individuals who were with you as a child. The evaluator might try to rule out any other explanations for your symptoms and suggest you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Some adults may need to attend more than one visit to their specialist in order to complete the process. The evaluation will discuss the results with you and may suggest treatments that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The signs of the inattentive type are difficulty staying focused and paying attention 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.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are unable to comprehend how their condition affects their lives and relationships. This can lead to strained or dissolved marriages or financial problems, as well as issues with parenting. During the evaluation, a psychologist may talk with the ADHD person and their spouse or partner to determine how their issues affect the relationship. They might ask both of you fill out checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD typically involves an interview with the person being evaluated and their family members, completing questionnaires or rating scales that compare behaviors of people with ADHD to those of people who do not have it, and standardized tests. In the case of children, the evaluator may take a look at their report cards and ask for teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Those with ADHD symptoms should be prepared to explain how their symptoms affect their work, social, and home life. Expect to be asked how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, and if you fail to complete tasks. The evaluator wants to know if these symptoms were always present or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have significant problems in at least two of the following areas: work, family life, school or social interactions. Examples of this impairment are being fired from a job, not passing an exam or not paying the bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause issues, but not serious disruptions.
Stress and physical ailments can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A mental health healthcare professional or health care professional will examine the person's mood, medical history, and other factors in order to rule out these causes.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most common treatments for ADHD. It helps people develop better coping skills and learn how to manage their symptoms. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts. It can also reduce the effects of conditions that are underlying and mental health issues like substance abuse or depression.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can be beneficial for people who suffer from ADHD. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can also help their partner learn to help them and cope with the difficulties of living with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. The use of medication can help alleviate these symptoms. These medications are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill-training, which can improve the symptoms and allow people to function better at school, work at home, or even in their hobbies. Medication is not a panacea and patients must work with their physician to understand the best way to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the right dosage of medication and dosage but it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many alternatives.
An experienced specialist will interview the child, parent or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special attention to behaviors that occur in several settings, such as at school and at home. They will also review the person's occupational and academic background and ask questions about their life as a family. They usually ask for performance evaluations from their workplace or old report cards and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
It is important to keep in mind that in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, the person's symptoms must have begun in the earliest years of their life (technically, before age 12). So, although an expert will only discuss current symptoms when conducting an assessment of diagnosis, they will likely have to talk with other people who knew the individual as a child and might even talk to the person's teachers or parents.
ADHD medications typically contain stimulants that are believed to balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as Neurotransmitters. They are available in different forms like liquids, tablets and patches. They can trigger side effects such as insomnia or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, however they generally considered safe when taken as directed by a physician. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They typically work slower and have fewer side negative effects, but they are not recommended for everyone.
A combination of medication, therapy, and behavior changes are most effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children can experiment with different medications and alter them depending on their needs or the circumstances change.