ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before starting any treatment, it is important to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This includes an interview with the clinician as well as information from outside sources like spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales and standardized testing.
Experts may suggest speaking to your child's teachers, religious leaders, scouts or coaches. ADHD symptoms must be evident since childhood in order to be recognized at an adult age.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD are different based on age, but children suffering from ADHD often have difficulty staying focused on tasks or paying attention to people. They may fidget or blurt out answers to questions or interrupt other people. They also might struggle with organization skills, get easily bored and have trouble waiting their turn. The signs of impulsive behavior include jumping into activities without permission, or running around or climbing up places they shouldn't. They also may be inclined to use extreme anger or excitement as a way to get their attention and may even make others angry or playing pranks with them.
A doctor can use questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if a child has ADHD. They may also request that the child's teachers complete rating scales. They may also perform an examination of the brain or physical to identify any medical conditions that could cause symptoms of ADHD. These include mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator can also ask whether your child is suffering from any other mental disorders, such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant syndrome or anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history. For instance, if any other members of your family have ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time managing their lives, including the demands of home and work. They may also have difficulty getting along with their coworkers or family members. They might also be late to appointments or fail to show up for social occasions due to their ailments. The difficulties they face in school could lead to an academic failure as well as poor job performance.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least six months. Doctors will interview both the patient and an individual who is familiar with them. This could be a spouse, parent, teacher, coach, nanny, or coach for children. The information collected will allow the doctor to determine which tests might exclude other conditions that are causing symptoms of ADHD. They might also use a checklist to determine these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves a series sessions with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is made based on symptoms and how they impact the person's life. It is important to get the right diagnosis in order to manage symptoms that could affect work and family. The diagnosis is made by a healthcare provider who is specialized in ADHD, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical background and symptoms, as well as the date they first appeared. They might ask the patient to keep a diary of their symptoms as well as their impact on their lives. This is very helpful in getting an accurate picture of the problem and assisting in determining what tests or evaluations are required to determine if ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
In addition to observing how the person performs in various settings, the doctor will employ questionnaires to determine the signs. The doctor could utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to evaluate children, and an interview with the patient to assess the symptoms. The questions are often similar to those in the NIMH ADHD diagnostic criteria, which help doctors identify whether a person is exhibiting hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive symptoms.
Some doctors may also perform an exam to make sure there's no physical condition like thyroid issues or seizures, which could be the root of the problem. Other tests can be conducted to screen for other conditions like anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, a doctor may require brain scans to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful when other tests for diagnosing the condition have not worked.
If you or your child suspects they may have ADHD and you suspect that they do, it is recommended to speak with your primary doctor. If the person does not have a primary doctor and is looking for a referral to their insurance provider for an inventory of health professionals who are qualified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treatment is an evaluation by a physician who will determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health issue. A thorough assessment could include an interview with a parent and child, as well as rating scales that compare the child's behavior to people who do not have ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD which include thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. how to get assessed for adhd could be required to rule out these causes. A psychological examination will be needed to determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health issue, such as anxiety.
Symptoms of ADHD can lead to significant problems in school, work and in relationships. The person being evaluated must be honest and candid with the examiner about the issues they're having. They shouldn't hide their feelings for fear of criticism or shame. They should describe symptoms as accurately as they can and include the ways they affect them both at home and in school. Parents should be included in evaluations but not in the decision-making process.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the condition that is causing it the symptoms and the age of the child. For instance stimulants are commonly prescribed in teens and children to treat ADHD because they help by stimulating the areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. These medications are available as immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the medication gradually throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other forms of treatment for ADHD might include counseling for marital and family relationships or cognitive behavior therapy, which provides specific techniques to change negative behavior into positive ones. These treatments may be beneficial to some adults with ADHD, as well occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important part of treatment is follow-up, with frequent meetings to evaluate progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to be involved in the process, for example Scout leaders or religious leaders. These professionals can provide valuable information about how the child behaves in various situations and offer a complete picture of how the child is performing.
Medication
ADHD is treated with various medications. Most often, stimulants are used to increase the activity of certain brain regions that regulate attention and behaviour. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant for teenagers, adults and children older than five years old is the most well-known. It is available in tablet form, usually 2 to 3 times a day. It is available in immediate release (short-acting), or extended-release (taken every day in the morning, and released throughout the day).
Many people report that their symptoms and impairment significantly improve after a period of medication. These effects can be seen in educational, social and home settings. The impact on performance in these settings is assessed with one or more standardized rating scales that compare the behavior of the person with those of other people. The scores of these rating forms are not considered diagnostic by themselves, but they serve as important sources of objective information during the evaluation process.
In addition to medications, there are also non-medicated solutions for ADHD which include behavior therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in managing their behavior prior to attempting medication on their children. The guidelines also recommend psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be part of the treatment plan for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some children and teens who are taking stimulants might develop tics. These are repeated sounds or movements such as eye-blinking, or throat clearing. Some teens and children who take ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their height, but this is typically not significant and doesn't impact their final height.
The stimulant medications have the potential to trigger dependence and abuse, but research has shown that this is not a problem with the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of substance abuse in a few teens and kids however this isn't due to the medication.
A possible adverse effect of ADHD medication includes the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A recent study found that people who took stimulant drugs for ADHD had a higher risk of developing CVD than others who did not take the drugs. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 people, including 10 388 with ADHD. They compared these participants to 51 672 controls without ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.