ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that your child or you is suffering from ADHD the first step is to schedule an appointment for a diagnosis. Only a clear diagnosis can help you understand and treat this condition.
During the evaluation during an evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and development going back to the early years of childhood. They may also use behavior rating scales as well as symptom checklists.
Symptoms
The first step to diagnose ADHD is to collect as much information about the person as possible. This could include an examination for physical health, obtaining medical and school records, or interviewing family members as well as teachers, coworkers, and other close friends. It is crucial to determine if there are any other conditions that could trigger symptoms similar to ADHD, such as thyroid disorders, seizures and certain types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will be interested in knowing how the symptoms affected the patient's life. This could include asking questions like whether they have trouble finishing tasks or get easily distracted, if they often lose things, have difficulty with managing their time or are always getting late for work or social occasions. The doctor might inquire if the symptoms began before the age of 12.
Psychiatrists, psychologists and some doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in both children and adults. They will use established criteria that are standardized as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD the person must have at least six symptoms in one of the categories for a minimum of six months.
It is important to keep in mind that having the fact that you have been diagnosed with ADHD does not mean that you are a scourge. Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms with medication, therapy and a healthy lifestyle.
The most common medication used to treat ADHD is a stimulant. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the appropriate medication and dosage for the patient. They can also be able to give tips on healthier lifestyles that can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise and making sure that the patient gets enough sleep. In certain instances the use of antidepressants as well as nonstimulant medications are used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step in obtaining a correct diagnosis. The best way to determine whether you have ADHD is to schedule a consultation with a mental health professional. A psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist can all conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnosis, your mental health professional will review American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will interview you or your child about the symptoms that have remained for at minimum six months. They will also look over the medical, psychiatric, and family medical history.
You could ask your spouse or other family member to share details about the person's symptoms. This helps the mental health professional to build a complete picture of the person's behaviour and experiences with ADHD. The psychologist will also employ the standard ADHD behavior scales and ask the person to talk about their past experiences with school, work, relationships and hobbies.
It is crucial that the mental health professional knows that other disorders may resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should exclude other disorders that may be related to seizures and thyroid disorders prior to determining if someone has ADHD.
In some instances, an expert in mental health may recommend a physical examination. This is especially crucial for adults, because some medical conditions can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Once the mental health professional has made the diagnosis and explained the reason, they will then explain why it's most likely caused by neurological issues such as an underactive or overactive hypothalamus, genetic predisposition and environmental factors like poor diet, alcohol abuse and stress.
The mental health professional will then discuss the options for treatment. For a lot of people choosing the right combination of treatments can help them manage their ADHD symptoms and live their lives to the maximum. Certain people can find accommodations at their workplaces or schools, for example, the ability to take tests privately or take a break during class. This makes life easier.
Treatment
Recognizing ADHD symptoms is often the first step towards controlling them. They can cause serious issues at school, at work or at home. Therapy and medication are both a essential to the treatment. online testing for adhd can help an individual develop better time management and learn methods to improve their organization, including daily planners or list. A therapist can also teach emotional regulation and social skills. If a child suffers from co-existing issues, like anxiety or depression, counseling could help with those as well.
The health care professional conducting the examination will ask a series questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological examination. These tests compare the performance of a person with those of a similar age. These tests can tell if a person is suffering from a learning disorder or other disorders that may be related to or resemble ADHD. The specialist could give the patient a questionnaire, and also interview other adults such as babysitters or teachers to get more information about their behavior, challenges, 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 specialist might also want to look over old school records to find out whether the patient was troubled in their childhood. Adults often have a difficult time remembering their problems from childhood, but under current diagnostic guidelines the disorder isn't diagnosed if symptoms didn't occur frequently in more than one setting before the age of 12.
Before beginning any treatment, a physician may check to see whether there are any medical conditions which could be causing ADHD symptoms or causing them to worsen. Some of these conditions include thyroid issues or seizures that can have symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A medical examination could include a hearing or vision test. The specialist may also conduct a psychological or emotional background, interview the patient's parents or other family members, and discuss the person's problems at work or school.
Medication
ADHD is treated most often with stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They increase the levels of chemical in the brain known as neurotransmitters, which regulate attention and movement. If stimulants are taken as prescribed, studies have shown that they lower the risk of kids with ADHD abusing drugs and having other problems. It is important to be aware that stimulants can cause side effects. They may cause a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, as well as heart or lung problems.
Doctors can also prescribe nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. These work more slowly than stimulants and are safer for those with certain health problems or cannot take stimulants due to unpleasant side effects, like anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes in vision or the function of the heart and lungs. They may also aid in treating tic disorders such as Tourette Syndrome. Certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs and bupropion are also used to treat ADHD. These medications are not FDA approved for this purpose, and could interact negatively with stimulants.
Other kinds of medications -for instance, some used to treat high blood pressure -also have been proven to improve symptoms of ADHD. They have not been studied as thoroughly as stimulants.
Adults typically respond better to a combination of medicines, behavior therapy, and skills training. Many people who have this combination of treatments say that they feel more at control and more able to manage their symptoms.
Ask your physician or mental health professional to recommend a specialist if you suspect that you or someone else you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD. You can also call the hospital of a university, medical or graduate school to get recommendations or check your insurance plan's list of specialists by specialty.
If you're an adult, you can take a self-assessment test to determine if you have ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is an easy-to-use checklist that can help determine whether you suffer from symptoms of ADHD.