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. He or she will also inquire about your child's school life. He or she will 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 healthcare professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you love suspects that they have it. Look for adhd assessment price who specializes in children's mental health or ask your family physician for a referral. The person conducting the assessment will start by talking to you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask you questions regarding your health, work, school and social life. The examiner will want to look over any records you may have, including performance evaluations from work or school as well as your old report cards.
A full assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with the person's family members, teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will utilize a variety of instruments and rating systems to assess the person's ADHD as well as standard tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples of your behavior in different situations. They will examine your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will also check whether the person's ADHD hinders their daily functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than is expected for their age and developmental level. They will evaluate the symptoms of a particular person to those of others in similar situations. For example, their classmates at school or on the same 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 symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two major settings in their life. This could mean that children struggle with their schoolwork, and their relationships with parents or siblings. Adults could lose their jobs when they are unable to pay attention or keeping track of bills and paperwork.
The evaluator can also talk to people who are familiar with the individual, such as family members and friends, or religious or scout leaders. They will want to know what the person's behavior is in various situations, such as at home and in other settings other than school or work.
Diagnosis
You must have at least six traits (symptoms) that began before 12 years of age. You must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at minimum six months. The symptoms must also become impeding your ability to function well at school, work or at home. The symptoms can not be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor may refer you an expert to conduct an assessment. You can download a help letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines that explain why you should have an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also ask about your family and social history, and your educational and work history. They might request your school records from the past and interview teachers or other people who were with you as a child. The examiner may attempt to rule out other possible explanations for your symptoms and recommend that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation could take several hours. Certain adults require more than one appointment with their doctor to complete the procedure. The evaluator may discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The inattentive form of ADHD is characterised by difficulties paying attention and remaining focused, as well as forgetfulness and/or a lack of 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.
A few adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can result in financial problems and broken or strained marriages, and parenting problems. During the evaluation, the clinician may talk with both the person with ADHD and their partner or spouse to gain an understanding of how their symptoms impact the relationship. They might have both of you complete checklists of your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with both the person being assessed and his or her caregivers, the completion of rating scales and questionnaires comparing behaviors of people with ADHD against the behaviors of people who are not affected and tests that are standardized. The evaluator might also request teachers to complete questionnaires and examine the reports of the child.
Anyone suffering from symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their issues affect their work, home, and social life. Expect to be asked questions about how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, and if you are unable to finish tasks. The examiner will want to know if these symptoms were present from the beginning or if they began in childhood (technically before age 12).
A person has to have significant issues in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work family relationships, life, or social interactions. Examples of this are being fired from a job, failing a class or not paying the bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can have difficulties in certain areas, but do not have major issues.
There are many things that can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will assess the person's mood, their medical background and other factors to rule out these possibilities.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn better ways to manage their symptoms and build stronger coping skills. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to transform negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also reduce the effects of underlying conditions and mental health issues, such as substance abuse or depression.
Therapy for couples or marriage can also be helpful for adults who suffer from ADHD. It can help them appreciate their partner's viewpoint and improve communication. It can help their partner understand how to support and cope with someone with ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is defined by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. Medications may help to alleviate these symptoms. These medications are usually prescribed in combination with therapy and skills-training which can reduce symptoms and help people function better at work, school at home, or even in their activities. However, medications are not a cure and people must still work with their doctor to understand how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may require a few attempts to determine the best dosage and combination of medications, but it is important to remember that there are a myriad of alternatives.
A trained specialist will talk to the parent, child, or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special focus on the behavior that occurs in several settings, such as at school and at home. They will also ask about the family history of the person and their academic and work background. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old reports and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
It is crucial to remember that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms of the patient must have started in the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). Therefore, even though experts will only talk about current symptoms when conducting an assessment for diagnosis however, they may require the assistance of others who knew the person as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
Treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which are believed to increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These medications are available in a variety of forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. They can trigger side effects such as trouble sleeping or agitation as well as loss of appetite, however they generally considered safe when they are prescribed by a physician. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine and other antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have fewer side effects, but they are not suitable for everyone.
A combination of medication therapy, therapy, as well as behavior changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children can experiment with different medications and alter them as their needs or circumstances change.