ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that you or your child is suffering from ADHD the first step is to schedule an appointment to get an assessment. A clear diagnosis will help you understand and treat this condition.
During an exam, your 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 the presence of ADHD it is necessary to gather as much information as you can about the person. This might include getting a physical exam, gathering health and school records or interviewing family members teachers, coworkers, or other close friends. It is important to determine if there are any other conditions that could trigger symptoms similar to ADHD like seizures, thyroid disorders, and a variety of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will be interested in knowing how the symptoms have affected the patient's daily life. You might ask whether the person is having difficulty completing tasks or gets easily distracted. If they're often late for work or social events they might also have problems with time management, or lose things frequently. In children, the doctor may also ask about whether the symptoms began before 12 years old.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some physicians are trained in diagnosing ADHD in adults and children. They use the 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 match the diagnostic requirements for the diagnosis of ADHD. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have at least six symptoms in one of the categories for at least six months.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a reason to be scolding. Many people suffering from ADHD experience mild symptoms. They are able to manage their symptoms by using medication, therapy and healthy lifestyle choices.
The most popular medication used to treat ADHD is stimulant. It is available in a variety of different forms including tablets, chewable pills, and liquids. A health care provider can recommend the appropriate dosage and medication for the patient. They are also able to give tips on healthier lifestyles that can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise and ensuring that a person gets enough sleep. In some cases, antidepressants and nonstimulant medication are used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. The best method to determine if you suffer from ADHD is to schedule a clinical evaluation with a mental health professional. A psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or neurologist are all able to provide an ADHD assessment.
Before determining adhd test uk , your mental health professional will go over the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care 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 persisting for at minimum six months. They will also look over your child's medical, psychiatric, and family medical history.
You may ask a spouse or another family member to share details about the person's symptoms. This will help the mental health professional to build a complete picture of the person's behavior and experiences with ADHD. The psychologist will also employ standardized ADHD behavior rating scales and ask the patient about their previous experiences in work, school, relationships and hobbies.
It is important that the mental health professional is aware that other disorders can resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they need to determine if there are other conditions such as thyroid problems or seizures before determining whether someone has ADHD.
In certain instances, a mental health professional will suggest a physical exam. This is especially important in adults, because some medical conditions can trigger the same symptoms as ADHD.
After the mental health professional has determined an assessment, they will explain how it could be caused by neurological disorders such as hypothalamus hyperactive or inactive and genetic predisposition as well as environmental factors such as poor diet, alcohol abuse and stress.
The mental health professional will discuss treatment options. The right combination of treatments can help many people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live a full life. Some people can find solutions at school and work for example, being able to take tests in a private space or having an extended break between classes, which make their lives more manageable.
Treatment
Recognizing ADHD symptoms is the first step towards controlling them. They can cause serious problems, whether at work, at school or at home. Therapy and medication are both a an integral part of treatment. Therapy can help a person develop better time management and develop methods for improving their organization, such as daily planners or list. Therapists can help teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child suffers from coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, counseling may help with those too.
The health care professional performing the test will ask a series questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological examination. These tests assess the performance of a person to those with similar ages. These tests can reveal the severity of a person's condition, whether they suffer from a learning disorder or other disorders that might be related to or resemble ADHD. The specialist may give the person a questionnaire and interview other adults such as teachers or babysitters to get an accurate picture of their behavior, challenges and routines.
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 wish to look over old school records to determine if the person had trouble in childhood. Adults can have trouble remembering their childhood struggles. However, under current guidelines for diagnosing disorders, the disorder cannot be identified when symptoms didn't occur regularly more than once before the age of 12.
Before beginning any treatment, the doctor may check to see whether any medical conditions could be causing or aggravating the ADHD symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizures, which sometimes have similar symptoms to ADHD. A medical exam could include a vision or hearing test. The specialist may also talk to the person's parents or other relatives, and discuss their issues at school or work.
Medication
ADHD is usually treated by using stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate. They boost the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate attention and movement. When stimulants are used as prescribed, studies have shown that they decrease the chance of kids with ADHD using drugs and causing other problems. It is important to be aware that stimulants can have side effects. These include a decreased appetite or trouble sleeping as well as lung or heart problems.
Doctors can prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. They are slower to work than stimulants and are more secure for those with particular health issues or who are unable to take stimulants due to unpleasant side effects, such as anxiety, ringing in the ears or changes in vision or the function of the heart and lungs. They can also be helpful in treating tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants, such as bupropion and SSRIs are used to treat ADHD. However, they haven't been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and can interact with stimulants.
It has been demonstrated that other medications, including those used to treat high blood pressure, can also help improve ADHD symptoms. However, they haven't been as thoroughly studied as stimulants.
Adults typically respond better to a combination of medication, behavior therapy, and training in skills. Many people who receive this type of treatment say that they feel more at control and are able to manage their symptoms.
If you suspect you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD, ask your physician or mental health provider for the recommendation of an expert. You can also contact a university hospital, medical school or graduate program for recommendations. You can also check out the list of specialists that are covered by your insurance plan.
If you're an adult, you can take a self-assessment test to determine if you be suffering 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.