ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if suspect you or your child might have ADHD is to set up an appointment to have a diagnostic evaluation. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the only way to understand and treat the condition.
During your examination during an evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and development prior to the early years of childhood. They may also use symptoms checklists and behavior rating scales.
Signs and symptoms
To diagnose ADHD for the first time, you must gather as much information as you can about the person. This could include a physical exam as well as obtaining medical and school records, or interviewing close friends, family members or teachers. It is also important to rule out other ailments that may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD such as thyroid problems seizures, seizures, and other types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will be interested in knowing how the symptoms have affected the patient's daily life. You could ask if the person has trouble working through tasks or is easily distracted. If they are often late to work or social occasions they might also have problems with time management, or lose things frequently. For children, the physician may also ask about whether the symptoms began before 12 years old.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and a few doctors are trained to recognize ADHD in both children and adults. They will use standardized diagnostic criteria, laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if symptoms satisfy the requirements for a ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least six signs in each category for a minimum of six month.
It is essential to keep in mind that a diagnosis for ADHD doesn't mean you are a scourge. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms with therapies, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD is a stimulant. It is available in a variety forms including tablets, chewable pills and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the right medication and dosage to the patient. They can also provide tips on healthy lifestyles that will improve symptoms of ADHD such as regular exercise or a good night's sleep. In certain instances the use of antidepressants as well as nonstimulant medications are employed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step towards an accurate diagnosis. However, the most effective way to determine whether you have ADHD is to schedule a consultation with an expert in mental health. A psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or neurologist are all qualified to perform an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnosis your mental health professional will review the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child regarding symptoms that have remained for at minimum six months. They will also examine the family history of your child or you medical and psychiatric histories.
The person being evaluated may be asked for input from other sources, such as spouses or other family members regarding their symptoms. This assists the mental healthcare professional to get a full picture of the person's behavior and ADHD experience. The psychologist will also talk to the person and use standard ADHD behaviour rating scales.
It is crucial that the mental health professional is aware that other disorders can resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must rule out other disorders like seizures and thyroid disorders, before determining if someone has ADHD.
In some cases, the mental health professional might recommend a physical examination. This is essential for adults since certain medical conditions can produce the same symptoms as ADHD.
After the mental health professional has determined the diagnosis, they will explain how it is most likely caused by neurological issues such as hypothalamus hyperactive or inactive, genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as poor diet, alcohol abuse and stress.
The mental health professional talks about the treatment options. The right combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live an active life. Some people can find accommodations at school and at work, such as being allowed to take tests in a private room or having an extended break between classes, that make their lives more manageable.
Treatment
Diagnosing ADHD symptoms can be the first step in controlling these symptoms. They can cause serious issues, whether at school, at work or at home. Medication and therapy are an integral part of treatment. Therapy can help a person learn better time management skills and also develop methods to improve their organization by using daily planners or lists. Therapists can also teach the skills of social interaction and emotional regulation. If a child is suffering from coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, counseling could help with those as well.
The health professional who is conducting the evaluation may ask a series of questions and complete an examination for neuropsychological or psychological. These tests compare the performance of a person with those of people who are typical who are similar age. These tests can reveal if a person is suffering from a learning disorder or other disorders that might coexist or look similar to ADHD. The specialist might provide the person with questionnaires and also interview other adults, like babysitters or teachers, to get a more complete picture of the person's behavior, problems 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 doctor may also look over old school records in order to determine if the person had issues as a kid. Adults may struggle to remember their childhood problems. However, under current diagnostic guidelines the disorder is not able to be diagnosed if symptoms did not occur regularly more than once before age 12.
Before starting any treatment, a doctor may check to see if there are any medical conditions that could be causing ADHD symptoms or making them worse. This could include thyroid issues or seizures, which can exhibit similar symptoms as ADHD. A medical exam might also involve a hearing and vision test. The expert may also interview the person’s parents or other relatives, and talk about their issues at school or work.
Medication
ADHD is usually treated with stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They boost the amount of chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of attention and movement. If stimulants are taken as prescribed, studies have shown that they reduce the risk of children with ADHD using drugs and causing other issues. However, it is crucial to be aware of potential side effects, including an increased appetite, difficulty sleeping and heart or lung issues in some children.
Doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or guanfacine. These drugs work slower than stimulants and are more suitable for patients with certain health issues or who are unable to take stimulants due to undesirable adverse effects like anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes in the heart, vision, and lung function. They can also be helpful in treating tic disorders like Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD. However, these have not been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and may interact with stimulants.
Other types of medication -- including some that are used to treat high blood pressure -are also proven to help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. They haven't been studied as thoroughly as stimulants.
official site respond well to a combination of medication or behavior therapy, as well as skills training. Many adults who receive this kind of treatment report that they feel more at control and are able to manage their symptoms.
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD you should ask your personal physician or mental health provider for a referral to an expert. You can also call an institution of higher education like a hospital or medical or graduate school for recommendations or look on your insurance plan's list of specialists according to their specialties.
You can also use an assessment of your own to determine if you have ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is a simple checklist that can help you determine whether you are suffering from ADHD.