ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that your child has ADHD, the first step is to set an appointment to receive the diagnosis. A clear diagnosis will help you understand and treat this condition.
During the evaluation during the exam, your doctor might ask you questions regarding how your health has developed since your early childhood. They may also use scales for assessing behavior and symptoms as well as checklists.
Symptoms
The first step in identifying ADHD is to gather as many details about the individual as possible. This could include a physical exam, gathering health and school records or interviewing family members, teachers, coworkers or other close friends. It is also crucial to rule out any other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid issues seizures, seizures, and other types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may also want to know how the issues have affected the patient's life and relationships. This could include asking questions such as whether they struggle to finish tasks or get easily distracted, especially if they frequently lose things, struggle with time management or are always getting late for work or social occasions. For children, the physician might also inquire about whether the symptoms started before age 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and a few physicians are trained in diagnosing ADHD in both children and adults. They use the established criteria that are standardized as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms meet the diagnostic requirements for a diagnosis of ADHD. 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 important to note that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a denial. Many people with ADHD have mild symptoms. They are able to manage their symptoms by using therapy, medication and a healthy lifestyle.
Stimulants are among the most popular treatment for ADHD. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets and liquids. A doctor can recommend the appropriate dosage and medication for the patient. They can also offer advice on healthy lifestyle habits which can improve the symptoms of ADHD such as regular exercise or a good night's sleep. In certain instances, non-stimulant medications such as antidepressants can be used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is a first step towards making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. However, the best method to determine if you have ADHD is to schedule a medical evaluation with a mental health professional. A psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist could all offer an ADHD evaluation.
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). They will ask you or your child regarding symptoms that have remained for at least six months. They will also examine the family history of your child or you, medical and psychiatric history.
The person being assessed may be asked to provide input from outside sources like a spouse or other family members about their symptoms. This assists the mental healthcare professional to get a full picture of the individual's behavior and ADHD experience. The psychologist will also employ standard ADHD behavior rating scales and interview the person about their past experiences with school, work, relationships and hobbies.
Click That Link is essential for a mental health professional to understand that other disorders may cause ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they need to determine if there are other conditions such as thyroid problems and seizures before determining if one suffers from ADHD.
In certain instances, a mental health professional might suggest a physical examination. This is especially important in adults, because some medical conditions can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health professional makes a diagnosis, he or she will explain that the condition is likely to be caused by neurological issues, for example, hypothalamus that is overactive or underactive. Genetic predisposition, poor nutrition and environmental factors, like substance abuse, stress and poor diet are also common causes.
The mental health professional will discuss the options for treatment. The best combination of treatments can help many people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live an active life. Some people can find solutions at school and work, such as being allowed to take tests in a private space or to have an extended break between classes. These make their lives more manageable.
Treatment
Getting a diagnosis is the first step to controlling ADHD symptoms that can cause serious issues at school, work or at home. Therapy and medication are both a part of the treatment. Therapy can help a person learn better time management skills and develop methods to improve their organization by using daily planners or lists. A therapist can teach social skills and emotional regulation. Counseling may also help if a child is suffering from co-existing illnesses like anxiety or depression.
The health care professional conducting the evaluation might ask a series of questions and take a psychological or neuropsychological exam. These tests evaluate a person's performance to those of normal people with the same age. They can show whether a person suffers from a learning impairment or other conditions that look like or are co-occurring with ADHD. The specialist may ask the person questions and also interview other adults, like teachers or babysitters, 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 specialist might also examine old school records in order to determine if the individual had issues as a kid. Adults may struggle to remember their childhood struggles. However, under current guidelines for diagnosing disorders, the disorder cannot be identified in the event that symptoms did not manifest often more than once before the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, a physician will determine if there are any medical conditions that could be causing the ADHD symptoms or causing them to worsen. Some of these conditions include seizures or thyroid problems that may have symptoms similar to ADHD. A medical examination could include a vision or hearing test. The expert may also interview the person's parents or other relatives, and talk about their problems at school or work.
Medication
Stimulants - like amphetamine or methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain that control attention and movements. Studies show that stimulants reduce the risk of drug abuse and other issues for children with ADHD when they are taken as directed. It is important to know that stimulants can have side effects. These include a decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and breathing problems or heart disease.
Doctors can prescribe non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. These drugs work slower than stimulants and are safer for some people with certain health conditions or who are unable to use stimulants due a negative side effects such as anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes to vision, heart, and lung function. They can also help treat disorders that cause tics, such as Tourette Syndrome. Certain antidepressants like SSRIs and bupropion are also used to treat ADHD. However, these have not been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and could interact with stimulants.
It has been shown that other types of medications that are that treat high blood pressure, may also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. However, they haven't been studied as extensively as stimulants.
In adults, a combination of behavior therapy, medication and skills training is often the most effective treatment. Adults who receive this combination treatment feel more at ease with their symptoms and are able to manage them.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional to refer you to an expert if you believe that you or someone else you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD. You can also contact an institution of higher education or medical school program for suggestions. Or online test for adhd can look at the list of specialists in your insurance plan.
You can also use a self-assessment to determine if you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is an easy-to-use checklist that can help you determine whether you suffer from symptoms of ADHD.