ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD the first step is to make an appointment to get a diagnosis. A clear diagnosis will aid in understanding and treating this condition.
During your examination the doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and growth going back to early childhood. They may also use behavior rating scales and symptom checklists.
Symptoms
The first step in identifying ADHD is to collect as much information about the person as is possible. This could involve undergoing an exam for physical examination, collecting health and school records or interviewing family members as well as teachers, coworkers, and other close friends. It is essential to rule out any other conditions that could trigger symptoms similar to ADHD like seizures, thyroid disorders, and a variety of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will be interested in knowing how the symptoms have affected the patient's daily life. This might involve asking questions such as whether they have difficulty finishing tasks or are easily distracted, if they regularly lose things, struggle with time management or are always being late for work or social occasions. For children, the physician might also inquire about whether the symptoms started before age 12.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults as well as children. They will use standardized diagnostic criteria, described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if the symptoms meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD the person must exhibit at least six symptoms in one of the categories for a minimum of six months.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a denial. Many people who suffer from ADHD have mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms using therapy, medication and a healthy lifestyle.
Stimulants are among the most popular medication to treat ADHD. It is available in a variety forms including tablets, chewable pills, and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the right dosage and medication to the patient. They can also offer tips on healthy lifestyles that will improve symptoms of ADHD, such as regular exercise or a good night's sleep. In some cases, nonstimulant drugs like antidepressants could be prescribed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is the first step towards making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. However, the best way to determine whether you are suffering from ADHD is to schedule a clinical evaluation with an expert in mental health. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist can all be certified to perform an ADHD assessment.
Before determining a diagnosis, your mental health professional will go over the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder 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 persisted for at least six months. go right here will also look at your child's or your own family, medical and psychiatric history.
The person being evaluated may be asked to provide input from outside sources like a spouse or other family members regarding their symptoms. This helps the mental healthcare professional to get a full picture of the individual's behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also use standardized ADHD behavior rating scales as well as ask the patient about their experiences in the past with school, work, relationships and hobbies.
It is important for the mental health professional to be aware that other disorders may mimic 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, an expert in mental health may suggest a physical exam. This is crucial for adults since certain medical conditions can produce the similar symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health professional determines a diagnosis, he or she will explain that it is likely to be caused by neurological issues, such as an overactive or underactive hypothalamus. Genetic predisposition, poor diet and environmental factors, such as substance abuse, stress and poor diet are also common causes.
The mental health professional will discuss the options for treatment. The right combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live an active and fulfilling life. Some people can get accommodations at their workplaces and schools, for example, the possibility of taking tests in private or take a longer break during class. This makes life easier.
Treatment
Diagnosing ADHD symptoms can be the first step towards controlling the symptoms. They can cause serious problems, whether at work, school or at home. Therapy and medication are both a essential to the treatment. Therapy can help an individual learn better time management and learn methods to improve their organization, including daily planners or lists. A therapist can also teach the skills of social interaction and emotional regulation. If a child has co-existing issues, like depression or anxiety, therapy could help with those as well.
The health care professional doing the test can ask a series questions and take a psychological or neuropsychological exam. These tests evaluate the performance of a person with those of normal people who are the same age. These tests can help determine the severity of a person's condition, whether they suffer from an intellectual disorder or other disorder that could be related to or resemble ADHD. The doctor may offer the patient a questionnaire and also interview other adults like teachers or babysitters to gain 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 want to examine the school records of the past to find out if the person had trouble in their childhood. Adults can have trouble remembering their childhood problems. However, according to current guidelines for diagnosing disorders, the disorder cannot be identified when symptoms didn't occur regularly more than once before the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, your doctor might check to see whether any medical conditions could be causing or aggravating the ADHD symptoms. This could be thyroid issues or seizures, which sometimes exhibit similar symptoms as ADHD. A medical exam could include a hearing or vision test. The doctor may also conduct an emotional or psychological history, talk to 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 commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that control attention and movements. Studies have proven that stimulants lower the risk of drug abuse and other issues for children with ADHD in the event that they are used as directed. However, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects, including an increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and heart or lung problems in some children.
Doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. They work slower than stimulants, and are less harmful for those with certain health issues or are unable to use stimulants due to undesirable adverse effects, like anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes in vision or the function of the heart and lungs. They may also aid in treating disorders that cause tics, such as Tourette Syndrome. Some antidepressants, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD. These medications are not FDA approved for this purpose, and could interact negatively with stimulants.
Other types of medication -for instance, some used to treat high blood pressure -- also have been shown to improve symptoms of ADHD. They haven't been studied as in depth as stimulants.
In adults, a combination of behavior therapy, medication and skills training is typically the most effective treatment. Adults who receive this type of treatment report feeling more in control of their symptoms and able manage them.
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD, ask your personal physician or mental health professional for a referral to an expert. You can also contact an institution of higher education like a hospital or medical or graduate school for recommendations or consult your insurance company's list of specialists by specialty.
You can also take self-assessment tools to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is a simple test that can be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.