ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that your child or you has ADHD, the first step is to schedule an appointment for a diagnosis. A clear diagnosis will help you understand and treat this condition.
During your evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and growth going back to early childhood. They can also use symptom checklists and scales for assessing behavior.
Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD for the first time, you must gather as much information as possible about the person. This might include getting an exam for physical examination, collecting health and school records or speaking with family members as well as teachers, coworkers, and other close friends. It is essential to identify any other medical conditions that could trigger symptoms similar to ADHD, such as seizures, thyroid disorders, and certain types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will want to know how the symptoms affected the patient's life. You could ask if the person has trouble getting through work or is easily distracted. If they're frequently late to work or social occasions they might also have problems with time management, or lose things often. In children, the doctor might also inquire about whether the symptoms began before 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some doctors are trained to recognize ADHD in children and adults. They employ standardized diagnostic criteria, described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if the symptoms meet the requirements for a 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 signs in each category for a minimum of six months.
It is essential to keep in mind that having a diagnosis for ADHD does not mean that you are a scourge. Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms with medication, therapy and healthy lifestyle choices.
Stimulants are the most commonly used medication to treat ADHD. It comes in many different forms such as tablets and liquids. A health care provider will be able to prescribe the right dosage and medication for the patient. They can also provide advice on healthy lifestyle habits that can help improve symptoms of ADHD, such as regular exercise or getting enough sleep. In some instances the use of antidepressants as well as nonstimulant medications can be used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step to an accurate diagnosis. The best way to find out whether you suffer from ADHD is to schedule an appointment for a clinical assessment. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all qualified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnosis, your mental health professional will review American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder that are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will talk to you or your child about symptoms that have persisted for at least six months. They will also look over the medical, psychiatric and family history.
You could ask your spouse or another family member to share details about the person's symptoms. This helps the mental healthcare professional to get a full picture of the person's behavior and ADHD experience. The clinician will also interview the person and use standardized ADHD behavior rating scales.
It is crucial for the mental health professional to recognize that other disorders can be similar to ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should exclude other disorders, such as seizures and thyroid disorders, before determining if a person has ADHD.
In some cases, a mental health professional will suggest a physical exam. This is especially crucial for adults because certain medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health professional makes a diagnosis, he or she will explain that the problem is likely to be caused by neurological issues, such as hypothalamus that is overactive or underactive. Genetic predisposition, poor diet and environmental factors, such as stress, substance abuse and poor diet are also common causes.
The mental health professional then talks about treatment options. The best combination of treatments can help many people manage their ADHD symptoms and lead an active and fulfilling life. Some people are able find accommodations in their workplaces and schools, like the ability to take tests in private or have an extended break during class. This can make life much easier.
Treatment
Diagnosing ADHD symptoms can be the first step to control these symptoms. They can cause serious issues at work, at school or at home. Therapy and medication are both a essential to the treatment. Therapy can help a person develop better time management and devise strategies for improving their organization, such as daily planners or list. A therapist can help teach the skills of social interaction and emotional regulation. If a child has coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, therapy could help with those as well.
The health care professional conducting the examination will ask a series questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological test. These tests evaluate the performance of a person to those who are similar in age. They can reveal if the person has a learning disability or other conditions that look like or coexist with ADHD. The specialist may give the person a questionnaire and interview other adults like teachers or babysitters to gain an accurate picture of 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 look over old school records in order to determine if the person was a victim of problems as a child. Adults may have difficulty remembering their childhood issues. However, under current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be identified when symptoms didn't occur often more than once before the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, your doctor may check to see whether any medical conditions could be causing or aggravating the ADHD symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizures, which sometimes have similar symptoms to ADHD. A medical examination may also include a vision or hearing test. The expert might also conduct an emotional or psychological history, interview the person's parents or other family members and discuss the person's concerns at school or at work.
Medication
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate - are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They increase the levels of chemical in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate attention and movement. If stimulants are prescribed, studies have shown that they decrease the chance of children with ADHD using drugs and causing other problems. However, it is important to be aware of potential adverse effects, which could include a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and heart or lung issues in some children.
Doctors also may prescribe non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. They are slower to work than stimulants and are more secure for people with particular health issues or who are unable to take stimulants due to unpleasant adverse effects, like anxiety and ringing in the ear, or changes in vision or lung and heart function. They may also aid in treating tic disorders such as Tourette Syndrome. Certain antidepressants like bupropion and SSRIs are used to treat ADHD. However, they haven't been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and can interact with stimulants.
It has been demonstrated that other types of medications such as those used to treat high-blood pressure, can also help improve ADHD symptoms. They haven't been studied as extensively as stimulants.
In adults, a mix of medication, behavior therapy and training in skills is usually the most effective treatment. Adults who receive this combination treatment report feeling more in control of their symptoms and able manage them.
If you suspect you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD you should ask your physician or mental health professional for the recommendation of a specialist. You can also contact an institution of higher education like a hospital or medical school to get recommendations or look on your insurance plan's list of specialists according to their specialties.
You can also use an assessment of your own to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. I Am Psychiatry of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is an easy checklist that can be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.