What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor may talk to you if you or your child exhibits signs of ADHD. They may ask questions about your family and health background. He or she might also inquire about the education of your child. He or she will talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts, and religious leaders, and other people that are familiar with them.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they may have ADHD, the first step to get an assessment is to locate an expert in the field who has experience diagnosing ADHD. Look for someone who specializes in children's mental health, or ask your family physician for an appointment. The person who examines you will start by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also ask about your work, school and social life. The examiner will want to see any records you have, including performance evaluations from work or school, as well as old report cards.
Interviews with family members, teachers as well as other adults will be a part of a full assessment. The examiner will utilize a variety of questions and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples of how you behave in various situations. They will compare your behavior to the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The evaluator also checks whether the person's ADHD affects their daily functioning. They will consider whether the symptoms are more severe than is normal for their age or developmental stage. They will evaluate a person's symptoms to other people who are in similar situations. For example, their peers at school or on a team.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the person must have a significant number of symptoms from both the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity sections of the criteria. Additionally, the symptoms must have caused significant impairment in at least two significant situations in their lives. For children, this will usually mean problems in their schoolwork as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it may mean losing a job because of a lack of attention and having trouble keeping track of paperwork or bills.
get assessed for adhd will also talk to other people who are familiar with the person such as relatives, friends as well as religious or scout leaders. They'll want to hear about the way in which the person behaves in various settings and also how they behave at home and in other settings other than work or school.
Diagnosis
You must show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before 12 years of age. You must also be suffering from these symptoms ongoingly for at least six months. The symptoms must also become in the way of functioning well at school, work, and/or home. The symptoms aren't caused by a mental health issue. Your doctor can recommend you to an expert to have an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP, or print quotes from NICE 87 guidelines that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will also ask you about your family as well as your educational and social background. They might request your school records from the past and interview teachers and other people who knew you as a kid. The evaluator will eliminate other possible explanations for your symptoms, and may suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment can take several hours. Certain adults require more than one visit with their doctor to complete the process. The evaluator may discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The ADHD that is inattentive is characterized by difficulty paying attention and staying focused as well as a tendency to forget and/or a lack in organizational skills. People with the hyperactive/impulsive type are restless and fidgety, often interrupt conversations or activities, have a hard time waiting for their turn, and may use other people's things without permission.
Some adults with ADHD are unable to understand how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial problems, strained or broken marriages, and issues with parenting. During the assessment the therapist may speak with both the person suffering from ADHD and their partner or spouse to get a better understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. You may be asked to fill out checklists of your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric assessment for ADHD usually involves an interview with both the person being assessed and their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires and rating scales comparing behaviors of people with ADHD and those of people without it and standardized testing. The evaluator may also request teachers to complete questionnaires and look at the reports of the child.
Anyone suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to explain how their ADHD symptoms affect their work, social and personal life. They should be prepared to be asked questions like how often they interrupt others, how easily they lose things, and how often they are unable to keep up on tasks. The examiner will want to know if these symptoms are present for all time or if they began in childhood (technically before age 12).
A person must have significant difficulties in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD including school and work family relationships, life or social interactions. This condition can be demonstrated through being fired from a position, failing the course or not paying your bills in time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some issues, but not serious disruptions.
Stress and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate the person's mood, medical history, and other factors to rule out the possibility of these conditions.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It helps people develop better coping skills and learn how to manage their symptoms. It may include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the effects of underlying conditions and mental health issues, such as substance abuse or depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from couples or marital therapy. It can help them understand their partner's viewpoint and improve their communication. It can also help their partner know how to support and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and the tendency to be impulsive. The use of medication can help alleviate these symptoms. These medications are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training, which can improve the symptoms and help people function better at school, work, home or in their hobbies. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients should consult with their doctor in order to determine the best method to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the best dosage of medication and dosage. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that there are a variety of alternatives.
A specialist will talk to a child, parent or an adult to understand their experiences with ADHD. They will pay special attention to behaviors that happen in different settings, including at home and in school. They will also ask about the person's family history and their academic and occupational background. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards and will be looking to speak with the person's teachers.
Remember that for a person to be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must have started in childhood (technically before the age of 12). While an expert will discuss the current symptoms during an assessment of diagnosis, they may have to talk to people who knew the person as when they were children, and interview their teachers or parents.
The treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in different forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. Stimulants can cause side effects such as insomnia or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, however they generally considered safe when prescribed by a doctor. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. They generally work slower and have less adverse negative effects, but they are not recommended for everyone.
A combination of medication, therapy, and behavior changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. Children and adults may experiment with different medications and alter them depending on their needs or the circumstances change.