What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child has symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to talk to you. He or she might ask about your family health history and your family history. He or she will also inquire about your child's education. They might talk to teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches, and other people who know your child.
Signs and symptoms
Find a health professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD if you or someone you love suspects that they have it. Ask your family doctor to refer you to a doctor who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person who examines you will start by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also ask questions regarding your health, work, school and social life. The examiner could ask you to see your old report cards or performance evaluations from school or at work, as well as other documents.
adhd assessment cheap with teachers, family members, and other adults will be a part of a complete assessment. The examiner will use different questions and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to give examples of how you behave in various situations. They will then compare your behavior to DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The evaluator will also determine whether the person's ADHD hinders their daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than expected for their age and development level. They will compare the symptoms of a particular person to those of others in similar situations. For instance, their peers at school or on an athletic 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. In addition, the symptoms must have led to significant impairment in at least two major environments in their life. For children, this could typically result in problems with their school work and relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it may result in losing a job because of difficulty paying attention and difficulty keeping records of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to people who are familiar with the person, for example, family members and friends or religious or scout leaders. They will want to know how the person behaves in various situations, such as at home, as well as other places other than school or work.
Diagnosis
You must show at least six traits (symptoms), which began before 12 years of age. You also must have these symptoms ongoingly for at minimum six months. The symptoms must affect your ability to perform at home, school, or at work. The symptoms aren't caused by a mental health issue. Your GP can recommend you to an expert to have an assessment. You can print quotes from NICE 87 guidelines or download the letter of support from ADHD UK that you can send to your GP.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also ask about your family history and social background as well as your education and work history. They may request your school records from the past and may also want to interview teachers or others who know you from when you were a child. The examiner will attempt to eliminate other possible explanations for your symptoms and may suggest that you have neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take several hours. Certain adults require more than one appointment with their specialist to complete the process. The evaluator will go over the results with you, and may suggest treatment options that could help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The symptoms of the type that is inattentive include trouble staying focused and attentive and forgetfulness as well as poor organization 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.
A few adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to divorce or separation, financial difficulties and problems with parenting. During the evaluation the clinician will talk with the ADHD person as well as their spouse or partner to learn how their problems affect the relationship. You may be asked to complete checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric assessment for ADHD typically involves an interview with the person being assessed and their family members, completing questionnaires or rating scales which compare behavior of people suffering from ADHD to those of people who don't have it, as well as standardized testing. The evaluator might also request teachers to complete questionnaires and look at the reports of the child.
Those who have symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their work, home, and social life. Expect to be asked about how often you interrupt others, or if you misplace things easily, and if you fail to complete tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know if these symptoms were present from the beginning or if they began in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12).
A person must experience significant issues in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work life, family relationships or social interactions. Examples of this disorder are getting fired from a job, not passing in a class, or not paying bills on time. People with mild ADHD symptoms can have problems in a few areas, but don't have major issues.
Physical and emotional stress can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A health care provider 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 among the most popular treatments for ADHD. It assists patients in developing better coping abilities and learn how to manage their symptoms. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches people how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues like substance abuse or depression.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can be helpful for those who suffer from ADHD. It can help them better understand their partner and improve their communication. It can also help the person they love to understand how to support them and deal with the challenges of living with someone with ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with skill training and therapy that can help improve symptoms and help people function better at home, school at work or in their activities. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients need to consult with their doctor in order to determine the best method to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take a few times to find the ideal dosage of medication and dosage but it is crucial to keep in mind that there are a variety of choices.
A specialist will interview a parent, child or an adult to understand their experiences with ADHD. They will pay focus on the behavior that occurs in various settings, such as at home and at school. They will also ask about the person's family history and their academic and occupational background. They typically request performance evaluations from their 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 diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must have been evident since childhood (technically before the age of 12). So, although experts will only talk about current symptoms when conducting an assessment of diagnosis, they will likely need to speak with others who knew the child and might even talk to the person's teachers or parents.
Treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which appear to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in different forms that include liquids, tablets and patches. The stimulants can cause side effects such as sleep disturbance, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe if following the prescriptions of a doctor. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-acting and have less adverse effects, however not everyone should use them.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication as well as behavior therapy and behavioral changes. It's not unusual 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.