ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before starting any treatment, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment of ADHD. This includes a physician interview, other sources, such as the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, as well as standard tests.
Experts may also look over your child's school records and talk with teachers, religious or scout coaches or leaders. ADHD symptoms must be evident from childhood to be diagnosed at an adult age.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD are different based on age, but children suffering from ADHD are often having trouble staying focused on tasks or paying attention to people. They may fidget or blurt out answers when asked questions or interrupt other people. They also might struggle with organizational skills, get easily bored and find it difficult to wait their turn. Impulsive behavior is often described as getting involved in activities or running around in circles without permission. They might also be inclined towards using extreme anger or excitement to stimulate their own egos, for example by making others angry or pulling jokes.
A doctor can employ questionnaires or interviews to determine if a child has ADHD. They can also request that the child's teachers fill out rating scales. They can also conduct a neurodevelopmental or physical exam to find any medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. This includes mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator can also ask whether your child has any other mental disorders like conduct disorder as well as oppositional defiant syndrome and anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history. For example, if any other members of your family have ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, which includes the demands of home and work. They may also have issues working with colleagues or family members. They might also be late to appointments or not attend social events due to their ailments. The difficulties they face in school could result in academic failure and 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 someone who knows them very well. This could include a spouse, parent, teacher or coach, nanny or coach for children. The information collected will allow the doctor to determine which tests could determine if other conditions cause symptoms of ADHD. They may also use a checklist to identify the symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of appointments with doctors or therapists. The diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms and their impact on a person's life. A correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms which can interfere with work and family life. A medical professional who is an expert in ADHD such as a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose the condition.
The doctor will review the patient's medical history and symptoms, including an explanation of when they first noticed. They may request the patient to keep a record of their symptoms as well as their impact on their lives. This can be extremely useful in gaining an accurate picture of the issue and assisting in determining which tests or evaluations are needed to determine if ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
The doctor may also use questionnaires to evaluate the symptoms. This could include questionnaires for parents and teachers to assess children for the disorder, and a patient interview to identify the symptoms they are experiencing. 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.
Certain doctors may also conduct an exam to make sure there isn't a physical condition like thyroid issues or seizures, which could be the root of the issue. Other tests are also available to determine if there are other issues such as anxiety or depression.
Occasionally, the doctor will request brain scans to identify other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't typically used to diagnose ADHD but can be a useful instrument when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been eliminated.
For adults who suspect that they or their child has ADHD, the best place to start is by talking with a primary care physician. If the patient doesn't have a primary physician and is looking for a referral to their insurance company for the list of health professionals who are trained to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
A doctor can determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or a different mental illness. A thorough evaluation may include a conversation with the child and parents and rating scales to compare behavior to those of people without ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that can trigger symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. These include thyroid problems as well as head injuries and seizures. It may be necessary to undergo an exam for physical symptoms to rule out the presence of these conditions. A psychological exam will be required to determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different mental health condition like anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a significant impact on work, school, and relationships. The person who is being evaluated should discuss the problems they are experiencing in a candid and honest manner with the examiner, and not hold back out of shame or fear of criticism. They should report symptoms as accurately as they can and also how they affect them at home and at school. Parents should be involved in evaluating their children but not in the decision-making process.
The kind of medication prescribed is based on the condition that is causing it the symptoms and the age of the child. For instance, stimulants are often prescribed to adolescents and children with ADHD. They help by stimulating brain activity in areas that control the behavior and attention. They are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the drug slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other types of treatment for ADHD could include counseling for the family or marital relationship, or cognitive behavioral therapy which helps to teach specific skills to transform negative behaviors to positive ones. Some adults who have ADHD may benefit from these treatments and also from occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important thing is the follow-up. There should be regular meetings to evaluate the progress made and determine next steps. Parents should be encouraged to include teachers and other professionals, including Scout and religious leaders in the process. These professionals can provide valuable information about how the child behaves in various settings and give a fuller picture of the child's functioning.
Medication
There are many different medications that are used to treat ADHD. Most often, stimulants work by increasing brain activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behaviour. cheap adhd assessment , the most commonly used stimulant among teens, adults and children who are older than five years old is the most well-known. It is taken in tablet form, typically 2 to 3 times per 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 say they feel better after taking medication. These effects are usually seen in home, school and social environments. The effect on performance in these settings is assessed with one or more standardized rating scales that compare the behavior of the person with the behavior of others. These ratings are not diagnostic by themselves, but provide valuable objective information for the evaluation process.
There are many non-medical treatments for ADHD such as the use of behavioral therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in the area of behavior management prior to attempting medications on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and classroom-based intervention to be part of the treatment plan for teens and adolescents with ADHD.
Most commonly, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some kids and teens who take stimulants can develop tics that are repetitive actions or sounds, like eye blinking or clearing the throat. Certain children and teens who are taking ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their height, but this is typically not significant and does not impact their final height.
Stimulant medication does have the potential to trigger addiction and abuse, but research has proven that this is not a problem when it comes to dosages prescribed for ADHD. Certain adolescents and children with ADHD are more at risk for substance use problems, but that is due to the disorder and not the medication.
Another potential adverse result of ADHD medication is the chance for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent study revealed that those who used stimulant drugs for ADHD were more likely of developing CVD than those who did not take the medication. Researchers analyzed data of 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 with ADHD. They compared the participants with 51 672 controls without ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.