ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you think your child or you might have ADHD is to set up an appointment for a diagnostic evaluation. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the only way to fully understand and treat the condition.
During the exam, your doctor may ask you questions regarding how your health has changed from your childhood. They might also employ scales for assessing behavior and symptoms as well as checklists.
Signs and symptoms
To determine if someone has ADHD for the first time, you must gather as much information as you can about the person. This could include a physical examination, obtaining health and school records, or talking to close family members, friends, or teachers. It is also essential to rule out any other conditions that may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD such as thyroid problems, seizures and some kinds of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may also want to know how the symptoms have affected the person's life and relationships. This could include asking questions such as whether they struggle to finish tasks or become easily distracted, if they regularly lose things, have difficulty with time management or are always getting late for work or social occasions. The doctor could inquire if the symptoms began before the age of 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults and children. They use standard diagnostic criteria, described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if symptoms meet 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 the person must have six or more symptoms in one of the categories for a minimum of six months.
It is crucial to understand that a diagnosis of ADHD is not a condemnation. Many people with ADHD suffer from mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms with therapies, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices.
The most popular medication used to treat ADHD is a stimulant. It is available in a variety forms, including chewable tablets, tablets pills, and liquids. A health professional can prescribe the right dosage and medication to the patient. They are also in a position to provide suggestions on healthy lifestyles that can improve the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise and making sure that a person gets enough sleep. In certain instances, non-stimulant drugs like antidepressants could be used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. The best method to determine if you have ADHD is to schedule a clinical evaluation. A psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist can all provide an ADHD evaluation.
Before determining a diagnosis, your mental health professional will study 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 ask you or your child about the symptoms that have remained for at least six months. They will also review your or your child's family medical and psychiatric histories.
You could ask your spouse or another family member to provide details regarding the person's behavior. This assists the mental healthcare professional get a complete picture of the person’s behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also interview the patient and use standardized ADHD behavior rating scales.
It is important for the mental health professional to be aware that other disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should be able to rule out other conditions like seizures and thyroid disorders, before determining if a person has ADHD.
In some cases, mental health professionals may recommend a physical examination. This is crucial for adults since certain medical conditions can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
After the mental health professional has made the diagnosis they will explain the reasons why it's most likely caused by neurological issues like hypothalamus that is overactive or underactive and genetic predisposition as well as environmental factors like poor diet, substance abuse and stress.
The mental health professional then talks about the treatment options. The best combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live an active life. Other people are able to get accommodations at work and school, such as being allowed to take tests in a private space or to take a longer break between classes, that makes their lives easier.
Treatment
Recognizing ADHD symptoms is often the first step towards controlling the symptoms. They can create serious problems, whether at school, at work or at home. Treatment includes medication and therapy. Therapy can help an individual develop better time management and learn methods to improve their organization, like daily planners or list. Therapists can help teach social skills and emotional regulation. Counseling may also help if a child is suffering from co-existing illnesses, such as depression or anxiety.
The health professional who is conducting the examination will ask a series of questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological test. These tests evaluate the performance of an individual to that of people with similar ages. These tests can tell if a person is suffering from an intellectual disorder or other disorder that could coexist or look similar to ADHD. The specialist could give the patient a questionnaire and interview other adults like babysitters or teachers to get more information about their behavior, issues 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 look over the school records of the past to determine whether the patient was troubled in their childhood. Adults often have a difficult time remembering their problems in childhood, however, according to current guidelines for diagnosing the disorder isn't identified if the symptoms didn't manifest often in more than one setting before age 12.
Before beginning any treatment, the doctor might check to see whether any medical issues might be causing or aggravated the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ailments include seizures or thyroid problems that may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A medical examination could include a hearing or vision test. The specialist may also conduct a psychological or emotional background, interview the patient's parents or other family members, and discuss the person's issues at school or at work.
Medication
ADHD is treated most often with stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They increase the levels of neurotransmitters that regulate attention and movement. As long as stimulants are used as prescribed, studies show that they lower the risk of kids with ADHD taking drugs and developing other problems. However, it is important to be aware of potential adverse effects, which could include an increased appetite, difficulty sleeping and heart or lung problems in some children.
Doctors can also prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine or Guanfacine. These drugs perform slower than stimulants, and are more suitable for patients with certain health issues or who cannot take stimulants due to unpleasant adverse effects like anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes in vision, heart, or lung function. They can also be helpful in treating tic disorders, like Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants, such as bupropion and SSRIs can also be used to treat ADHD. These medications are not FDA approved for this purpose and could be incompatible with stimulants.
Iam Psychiatry has been proven that other types of medications, including those used to treat high blood pressure, can also improve ADHD symptoms. However, they have not been examined as thoroughly as stimulants.
Adults typically respond better to a combination of medicines or behavior therapy, as well as techniques training. Adults who receive this type of treatment feel more at ease with their symptoms and able manage their symptoms.
Ask your physician 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 call an institution of higher education like a hospital or medical or graduate school to get recommendations or look on your insurance plan's list of specialists by specialty.
If you are an adult, you may 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 if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.