ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that your child is suffering from ADHD, the first step is to make an appointment to receive a diagnosis. Only an accurate diagnosis can aid in understanding and treating this condition.
During the examination the doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and development going back to early childhood. They could also use scales for assessing behavior and symptoms as well as checklists.
Symptoms
To determine if someone has ADHD for the first time, you must collect as much information as you can about the person. This could involve a physical examination or obtaining health and school records, or speaking with close family members, friends, or teachers. It is also essential to rule out other ailments that may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD like thyroid issues as well as seizures and various types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will want to know how symptoms affected the patient's life. You might ask whether the patient has difficulty completing tasks or gets easily distracted. If they are often late for work or social occasions, they may also struggle with time management or lose items frequently. For children, the physician might also inquire about whether the symptoms began before 12.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults and in children. They use the standardized criteria as set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD one must have six or more symptoms in one of the categories for at least six months.
It is crucial to keep in mind that being diagnosed with ADHD doesn't mean you are condemned. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms, and they can learn how to manage their symptoms with the help of therapy, medications and healthy lifestyle practices.
The most common medication used to treat ADHD is a stimulant. It comes in a variety of forms such as tablets and liquids. A health care provider will be able to prescribe the right dosage and medication for the patient. They can also offer suggestions on healthy lifestyles which can improve the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise or getting enough sleep. In some instances, non-stimulant drugs like antidepressants could be prescribed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is the first step towards making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. However, the best way to determine whether you have ADHD is to schedule a clinical evaluation with a mental health professional. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all able to provide an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnosis, your mental health professional will review the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child if symptoms have been present for at least six months. They will also look at your or your child's family medical and psychiatric histories.
The person being evaluated may be asked for feedback from other sources, such as spouses or other family members on their symptoms. This helps the mental healthcare professional get a complete picture of the person’s behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also use standardized ADHD behavior scales and ask the patient about their experiences in the past in work, school, relationships and hobbies.
It is crucial for a mental health professional to understand that other conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must be able to rule out other conditions like thyroid disorders and seizure disorders before determining if someone has ADHD.
In some instances, a mental health specialist may suggest a physical examination. This is important for adults because certain medical conditions can produce the similar symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health specialist is able to diagnose a problem then they explain that it is likely caused by neurological issues, like hypothalamus that is overactive or underactive. Genetic predisposition, poor nutrition and environmental factors, such as stress, substance abuse and poor diet are also common causes.
The mental health professional will discuss treatment options. For many people the best combination of treatments lets them manage their ADHD symptoms and live their lives to the fullest. Certain people can find accommodations in their workplaces and schools, like the ability to take tests in private or take a longer break during classes. This can make life easier.
Treatment
Diagnosing ADHD symptoms is the first step to control the symptoms. They can create serious problems at work, school or at home. Therapy and medication are both a part of the treatment. Therapy can help someone learn better time management skills and also develop methods to improve their organization by using daily planners or lists. Therapists can also help teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child is suffering from coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, counseling can help with these too.
The health care professional conducting the evaluation can ask a series questions and complete an examination for neuropsychological or psychological. These tests are used to compare a person's performance to those of typical people with similar age. They can determine if the person is suffering from a learning disability or any other disorder that appears like or coexist with ADHD. The specialist may give the person a questionnaire and also interview other adults, such as teachers or babysitters to get an accurate picture of their behavior, problems and habits.
For adults, health care professionals use the same criteria for diagnosing ADHD as they do for children: six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. The doctor may also want to look over the school records of the past to determine whether the patient had issues in the early years of their life. Adults have a difficult recalling their issues from their childhood, but according to current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms didn't occur regularly in more than one environment before age 12.
Before starting any treatment, the doctor will be able to determine if any medical issues could be causing or aggravated the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ailments include seizures or thyroid problems that can have symptoms similar to ADHD. A medical examination may also include a hearing or vision test. The expert may also interview the person's parents or other relatives, and discuss their issues at school or work.
Medication
Stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. They increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain which control attention and movements. When stimulants are prescribed, studies have shown that they decrease the chance of kids with ADHD abusing drugs and having other problems. It is essential to be aware that stimulants can cause side effects. They can cause a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, as well as heart or lung problems.
Doctors may also prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. They work slower than stimulants and are safer for people with certain health issues or are unable to take stimulants due to unpleasant side effects, like anxiety and ringing in the ear, or changes in vision or lung and heart function. They can also be helpful in treating tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD. However, these have not been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and could interact with stimulants.
Other types of medication -such as those used to treat high blood pressure- also have been shown to help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. However, they have not been studied as extensively as stimulants.
adhd testing uk respond best to a combination of medication or behavior therapy, as well as skills training. Adults who undergo this combination treatment report feeling more in control of their symptoms and are able to manage them.
Ask your doctor or mental health provider to refer you to an expert if you suspect that you or someone else you know is suffering from symptoms of ADHD. You can also ask an institution of higher education, medical school or graduate program for recommendations. You can also take a look at the list specialists on your insurance plan.
You can also take a self-assessment to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is an easy checklist that can be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms.