ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you suspect you or your child might have ADHD is to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic evaluation. Only an accurate diagnosis can aid in understanding and treating this condition.
During the evaluation, your doctor may ask you questions regarding the way your health has improved since your early childhood. They might also employ scales for assessing behavior and symptoms as well as checklists.
Signs and symptoms
The first step in diagnosing ADHD is to gather as much information about the person as you can. This could include a physical exam, obtaining health and school records, or interviewing family members, close friends, or teachers. It is crucial 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 symptoms have affected the patient's daily life. It is possible to inquire whether the person is having difficulty working through tasks or is easily distracted. If they're frequently late for work or social occasions, they may also struggle with time management or lose things frequently. For children, the doctor might also inquire about whether the symptoms began before age 12 years old.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in children and adults. They will use standardized criteria as set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms are in line with the diagnostic requirements for the diagnosis of ADHD. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD the person must have six or more symptoms in one of the categories for a minimum of six months.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of ADHD is not a reason to be scolding. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms and they can learn how to manage their symptoms with the help of medications, therapy and healthy lifestyle choices.
Stimulants are the most commonly used medication to treat ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms such as tablets and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the right dosage and medication for the patient. They can also be competent to offer advice on healthier lifestyle habits that can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD such as regular exercise and ensuring that a person gets enough sleep. In certain instances the use of antidepressants as well as nonstimulant medications are used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is a first step towards making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. However, the most effective method to determine if you are suffering from ADHD is to schedule a medical evaluation with an expert in mental health. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all able to provide an ADHD assessment.
Before making 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 if symptoms have been present for at least six month. They will also review the family history of your child or you medical and psychiatric history.
The person being assessed may be asked for input from outside sources like a spouse or other family members regarding their symptoms. This will help the mental health professional to build an accurate picture of the person's behavior and experience with ADHD. The doctor will also interview the patient and use standardized ADHD behaviour rating scales.
It is essential for the mental health professional to understand that other disorders can be similar to ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must also exclude other conditions like thyroid issues and seizures before determining if someone has ADHD.
In certain instances, a mental health professional may recommend a physical examination. This is essential for adults as certain medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
After the mental health specialist has established a diagnosis, they will explain how it's most likely caused by neurological disorders such as hypothalamus that is overactive or underactive and genetic predisposition as well as environmental factors such as poor diet, alcohol abuse and stress.
The mental health professional will discuss the options for treatment. For many people choosing the right combination of treatments allows them to manage their ADHD symptoms and live their lives to the maximum. Some people can find accommodations at school and at work like 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.
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Getting a diagnosis is the first step to taking control of 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 and learn methods to improve their organization, such as daily planners or list. Therapists can also teach social skills and emotional regulation. Counseling can also be helpful if a child is suffering from coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety.
The health care professional performing the evaluation will ask a series of questions and perform a neuropsychological or psychological exam. These tests evaluate the performance of an individual to that of people of a similar age. They can show whether someone is suffering from a learning disability or other disorders that look similar to or coexist with ADHD. The doctor may offer the patient a questionnaire and also interview other adults like teachers or babysitters to get more information about their behavior, challenges and routines.
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 review old school records to determine whether the patient was troubled in their childhood. Adults have a difficult time remembering their problems from childhood, but under current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms did not occur often in more than one setting prior to age 12.
Before starting any treatment, your doctor might check to see whether any medical issues might be causing or aggravated the ADHD symptoms. These might include thyroid problems or seizures, which can exhibit similar symptoms as ADHD. A medical examination may also include a hearing or vision test. The specialist may also talk to the person’s parents or other relatives, and discuss their issues at school or work.
Medication
ADHD is usually treated with stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine. They increase the levels of chemical in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate attention and movement. As long as stimulants are used as prescribed, studies show that they reduce the risk of children suffering from ADHD taking drugs and developing other problems. However, it is crucial to be aware of potential side effects, including the loss of appetite, difficulties sleeping, and heart or lung problems in some children.
Doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. These drugs perform slower than stimulants and are safe for people with certain health conditions or who are unable to take stimulants due to unpleasant adverse effects like anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes to vision, heart, or lung function. They can also be helpful in treating tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome. Some antidepressants such as SSRIs and bupropion are also used to treat ADHD. These drugs are not FDA approved for this purpose and could be incompatible with stimulants.
It has been shown that other types of medications, including those used to treat high blood pressure, can also help improve ADHD symptoms. However, they have not been as thoroughly studied as stimulants.
For adults, a combination of therapy, medication and training in skills is usually the most effective treatment. Adults who receive this combination treatment feel more in control of their symptoms and able manage them.
Ask your doctor or mental health provider to recommend 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 like a hospital or medical school to get recommendations or look on your insurance plan's list of specialists according to their specialties.
If you're an adult, you may try a self-assessment survey to see if you might be suffering from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is a simple checklist that will help you determine whether you suffer from symptoms of ADHD.