ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you believe that your child may have ADHD is to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic assessment. Only an accurate diagnosis can help you understand and treat this condition.
During the exam, your doctor will ask you questions about your health and development going back to the early years of childhood. They may also use symptom checklists and behavior rating scales.
Signs and symptoms
The first step in diagnosing ADHD is to collect as many details about the individual as you can. This could include a physical exam, obtaining health and school records, or speaking with family members, close friends or teachers. It is also important to rule out other ailments that may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD like thyroid issues seizures, seizures, and other types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may also want to know about how the issues have affected the patient's life and relationships. This could include asking questions like whether they have trouble finishing tasks or become easily distracted, especially if they frequently lose things, have difficulty with managing their time or are always getting late for social or work events. The doctor might ask if the symptoms began before the age of 12.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to recognize ADHD in adults as well as children. They use standard diagnostic criteria, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if symptoms satisfy the criteria needed for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD you must show at least six symptoms in each category for a minimum of six month.
It is essential to keep in mind that the fact that you have been diagnosed with ADHD does not mean you are deserving of punishment. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms, and they can learn to manage their symptoms with the help of therapy, medications and healthy lifestyle practices.
The most common medication used to treat ADHD is stimulant. It comes in many different forms, including tablets and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the right dosage and medication to the patient. They are also competent to offer advice on healthier lifestyle habits that can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise and making sure that the patient gets enough sleep. In some cases 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 making a proper diagnosis. The best way to determine if you have ADHD is to schedule a clinical evaluation. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all able to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before determining a diagnosis, your mental health professional will review the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care for the disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). adhd test private will ask you or your child if they have had symptoms present for at least six months. They will also review you or your child's medical, mental health and family background.
You may ask a spouse or a family member to provide details regarding the person's behavior. This helps the mental healthcare professional get a complete picture of the individual's behavior and ADHD experience. The psychologist will also talk to the patient and use standardized ADHD behavior rating scales.
It is essential that the mental health professional understands that other disorders can resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should determine if there are other conditions like thyroid issues and seizures before determining if one suffers from ADHD.
In some cases, the mental health specialist may suggest a physical exam. This is essential for adults as certain medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health specialist is able to diagnose a problem then they explain that it is likely caused by neurological issues, such as an overactive or underactive hypothalamus. Genetic predisposition, poor diet, and environmental factors, like substance abuse, stress and poor diet are also common causes.
The mental health professional will then discuss the options for treatment. The right combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live a full life. Other people are able to get accommodations at school and at work like being able to take tests in a private room or having an extended break between classes, that makes their lives easier.
Treatment
Diagnosing ADHD symptoms can be the first step in controlling the symptoms. They can cause serious issues at work, school or at home. Treatment can include therapy and medication. Therapy can help a person develop better time management skills and develop methods to improve their organizational skills, such as daily planners or lists. Therapists can also help teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child has co-existing issues, like depression or anxiety, therapy can help with these too.
The health care professional conducting the test will ask a series questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological test. These tests compare the performance of a person to those who are similar in age. These tests can help determine if a person is suffering from a learning disorder or any other disorder that could coexist or look similar to ADHD. The specialist might provide the person with questionnaires and also interview other adults, like babysitters or teachers, in order to get a full picture of the person's 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 doctor may also wish to examine old school records to determine whether the patient had issues in childhood. Adults can have trouble remembering their childhood issues. However, under current guidelines for diagnosing disorders, the disorder cannot be diagnosed when symptoms didn't occur regularly more than once before age 12.
Before starting any treatment, your doctor will be able to determine if any medical issues could be causing or aggravated the ADHD symptoms. This could be thyroid issues or seizures, which sometimes exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD. A medical examination may also include a vision or hearing test. The specialist may also conduct an emotional or psychological history, interview the person's parents or other family members, and discuss the person's issues at school or at work.
Medication
Stimulants - like amphetamine or methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD. They boost the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate attention and movement. Studies show that stimulants reduce the risk of relapse to drugs and other issues for children with ADHD when they are taken as directed. It is crucial to be aware that stimulants may cause adverse effects. They may cause a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping and heart or lung problems.
Doctors can also prescribe nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. These drugs are slower to work than stimulants and are more suitable for people suffering from certain health issues or who are unable to use stimulants due a negative adverse effects like anxiety, ringing of the ears, or changes to the heart, vision, and lung function. They can also help treat disorders that cause tics, such as Tourette Syndrome. Certain antidepressants, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion, are also utilized to treat ADHD. However, they haven't been specifically approved by the FDA for this use and could interact with stimulants.
Other forms of medicationfor instance, some used to treat high blood pressurealso have been proven to help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. However, they haven't been as thoroughly studied as stimulants.
Adults usually respond best to a combination of medicines or behavior therapy, as well as techniques training. Many adults who receive this type of treatment say they feel more in control and able to manage their symptoms.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional to refer you to an expert if you believe that you or someone you know is suffering from symptoms of ADHD. You can also contact an institution of higher education like a hospital or medical school for recommendations, or look on your insurance plan's list of specialists according to their specialties.
You can also perform an assessment of your own to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is a simple checklist that can be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.