ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you suspect you or your child may have ADHD is to set up an appointment for a diagnostic evaluation. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the only way to understand and treat the condition.
During the exam, your doctor may ask you questions regarding how your health has developed since your early childhood. They may also use behavior rating scales as well as symptom checklists.
Symptoms
The first step in identifying ADHD is to collect as many details about the individual as you can. This could include a physical exam as well as obtaining medical and school records, or talking to family members, close friends, or teachers. It is important to identify any other medical conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like seizures, thyroid disorders and a variety of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will also want to know about how the issues have affected the patient's life and relationships. You might ask if the person has trouble completing tasks or gets easily distracted. If they're often late to work or social occasions They may also have issues with time management, or lose things frequently. The doctor might ask if the symptoms began before the age of 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and a few physicians are trained in diagnosing ADHD in adults and children. 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 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 you must show at least six signs in each category for a minimum of six months.
It is important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a denial. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms. They are able to manage their symptoms by using therapy, medication and a healthy lifestyle.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD is stimulant. It is available in a variety of different forms like chewable tablets, chewable pills and liquids. A health professional can prescribe the correct medication and dosage to the patient. They can also be in a position to provide tips on healthier lifestyles that can improve the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise and ensuring that the patient gets enough sleep. In certain instances antidepressants and nonstimulant medications are employed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is the first step to make an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. The best way to determine whether you suffer from ADHD is to schedule a consultation with a mental health professional. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist can all be certified to provide an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnoses your mental health professional will go over American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child if symptoms have been present for at least six month. They will also examine the family history of your child or you medical and psychiatric histories.
You can ask your spouse or other family member to share details about the person's symptoms. This can help the mental health professional to build a complete picture of the person's behavior and experiences with ADHD. The psychologist will also employ the standard ADHD behavior rating scales and interview the person about their experiences in the past in school, work and relationships, as well as their hobbies.
It is important for the mental health professional to recognize that other conditions can be similar to ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should exclude other disorders that may be related to thyroid disorders and seizure disorders before determining whether someone suffers from ADHD.
In some cases, the mental health specialist may suggest a physical examination. This is particularly important for adults as certain medical conditions can trigger the similar symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health specialist makes a diagnosis and confirms the diagnosis, they will explain that the condition is likely caused by neurological issues, like an overactive or underactive hypothalamus. Genetic predisposition, poor diet and environmental factors, such as stress, substance abuse and poor nutrition are common causes.
The mental health professional talks about the treatment options. The right combination of treatments can help many people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live an active and fulfilling life. Others are able to find accommodations at work and school for example, being able to take tests in a private room or to have an extended break between classes. These help them live their lives more comfortably.
Treatment
Diagnosing ADHD symptoms can be the first step towards controlling these symptoms. They can cause serious problems, whether at school, at work or at home. Therapy and medication are a an integral part of treatment. Therapy can help an individual improve their time management skills and devise strategies for improving their organization, such as daily planners or list. Therapists can help teach social skills and emotional regulation. private adhd test can also be helpful when a child suffers from coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The health care professional conducting the evaluation will ask a series questions and will conduct a neuropsychological psychological exam. These tests evaluate the performance of a person with those of normal people of the same age. They can reveal if a person suffers from a learning impairment or other conditions that look like or coexist with ADHD. The specialist might ask the person questions and talk to other adults, such as babysitters or teachers, to get a more complete picture of the person's behavior, problems 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 may also review the school records of a previous student to determine if the individual had issues as a kid. Adults have a difficult recalling their issues from childhood, but under current guidelines for diagnosing disorders, the disorder can't be diagnosed if symptoms didn't occur regularly in more than one setting before the age of 12.
Before beginning any treatment, a physician might check to determine whether there are any medical conditions that could be causing the ADHD symptoms or causing them to get worse. Some of these conditions include seizures or thyroid problems which can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A medical examination could involve a hearing and vision test. The expert may also interview the person's parents or other relatives, and talk about the issues they face at school or at work.
Medication
ADHD is usually treated with stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine. They increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate attention and movement. When stimulants are taken as prescribed, research has shown that they reduce the risk of children suffering from ADHD using drugs and causing other problems. It is essential to know that stimulants may cause adverse effects. They may cause a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as heart or lung problems.
Doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. These drugs work slower than stimulants and are more suitable for patients with certain health issues or who cannot take stimulants due to unpleasant side effects such as anxiety, ringing of the ears, or changes in vision, heart, and lung function. They also can help treat disorders of the tic, like Tourette Syndrome. Some antidepressants such as bupropion and SSRIs are used to treat ADHD. However, they haven't been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and could interact with stimulants.
It has been proven that other types of medications, including those that treat high blood pressure, can also improve ADHD symptoms. They haven't been studied as extensively as stimulants.
Adults usually respond best to a combination of medications or behavior therapy, as well as techniques training. Adults who receive this combination treatment report feeling more at ease with their symptoms and are able to manage them.
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD you should ask your doctor or mental health professional for the recommendation of an expert. You can also contact the hospital of a university, medical or graduate school to get recommendations or consult your insurance company's list of providers 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 an easy checklist that can be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms.