What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child have symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to speak with you. He or she might ask questions about your family and health history. They may also inquire about your child's education. 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
If you or someone you know thinks they have ADHD, the first step in obtaining an assessment is to locate an expert in the field who has expertise in diagnosing the condition. Request your family physician to refer you to a doctor who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person conducting the assessment will start by talking with you about your issues and how they affect your life. They might also inquire about your work, school, and social life. The examiner might ask you to see old report cards or performance evaluations from work or school, and other records.
Interviews with teachers, family members as well as other adults will be a part of a complete evaluation. The examiner will employ a variety of questionnaires and rating systems to evaluate the person's ADHD and will also use standard tests used in school evaluations. They will also require you to provide examples of how you behave in different situations. They will then compare your behavior to DSM V ADHD criteria -hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
The evaluator will also determine whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than is expected for their age and development level. They will compare the symptoms of a person with other people in similar situations. For instance, their peers at school or in 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 have caused significant impairments in at least two aspects of their lives. For Suggested Looking at , this will typically mean issues with their schoolwork as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. Adults could lose their job if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator will also speak to other people who know the person well such as relatives, friends, as well as Scout or religious leaders. They will want to hear about the behavior of the person in different settings as well as how they behave at home and in other settings outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must have at least six traits (symptoms), which began before the age of 12. These symptoms must also be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms must also get in the way of functioning well at school, work, and/or home. The symptoms can not be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can recommend you to an expert for an assessment. You can print out quotations from NICE 87 guidelines or download an official letter from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also inquire about your family as well as your educational and social history. They might also request your old school records as well as interview teachers or other individuals who knew you as a child. The examiner may attempt to rule out any other explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take a long time. Some adults may need to make more than one appointment with their doctor 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 ADHD that is inattentive is characterized by difficulty paying attention and staying focused as well as a tendency to forget and/or a lack in organizational 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 struggle to comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can result in 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 impact the relationship. They may ask both of you complete checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with both the person being evaluated and the caregivers for them and the submission of questionnaires and rating scales which compare the behaviors of those with ADHD with the behavior of those who do not have it and tests that are standardized. In the case of children, the examiner may take a look at their report cards and request that teachers fill out questionnaires.
Anyone suffering from symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their work as well as home and social life. They should expect to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things, and how often they are unable to keep up on their tasks. The evaluator will want to know whether these symptoms have always been there or if they began in childhood (technically before the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must be experiencing significant difficulties in at least two of the following areas: work, school, family life, or social relationships. This condition can be demonstrated through being fired from a position, failing an educational course or not paying bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some issues, but not serious disruptions.
There are a myriad of things that can cause similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD such as physical ailments 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 possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn more effective ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective coping skills. It may include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts. It can also reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues like addiction or depression.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can be beneficial for adults who suffer from ADHD. It can help them understand their partner's viewpoint and improve communication. It can also assist their partner to learn how to support them and deal with the challenges of living with someone who suffers from ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. These medications are often prescribed in combination with therapy and skills-training, which can improve the symptoms and help people function better at school, work, home or in their leisure activities. However, medication is not an answer to all problems and people should remain in contact with their doctor to figure out how they can manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the right combination of medications and dosages, but it is important to keep in mind that there are a myriad of alternatives.
A specialist will talk to parents, children or an adult to understand their experiences with ADHD. They will pay attention to the behaviors that occur in various settings, such as at home and in school. They will also inquire about the person's family background as well as their academic and occupational background. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
Be aware that in order for a person to be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must have been evident since childhood (technically before the age of 12). Although an expert may only talk about the current symptoms in a diagnostic assessment they may need to speak to others who knew the person as a child, and even interview their teachers or parents.
The treatment for ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in a variety of forms that include liquids, tablets and patches. Stimulants may cause side effects such as sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe if following the prescriptions of a doctor. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have fewer side negative effects, but they are not recommended for everyone.
A combination of medications, therapy, and behavior changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. It is not uncommon for adults and children to take different medications and then alter them as their needs change or when they experience significant changes in their lives.