ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if think your child or you might have ADHD is to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic assessment. Only a clear diagnosis can help you understand and treat this condition.
During the evaluation the doctor will ask you questions regarding how your health has changed from your childhood. They can also use the symptom checklist and behavior rating scales.
Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD it is necessary to collect as much information as you can about the person. This could include a physical exam, obtaining health and school records, or talking to family members, close friends, or teachers. It is important to identify any other medical illnesses that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD including seizures, thyroid disorders and certain types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will want to know how the symptoms affected the patient's life. You might ask whether the patient has difficulty getting through work or is easily distracted. If they are often late to work or social occasions They may also have issues with time management, or lose things frequently. For children, the physician might also inquire if the symptoms began before 12 years old.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults as well as children. They will use established criteria that are standardized as defined 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. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least six symptoms in each category for at least six month.
It is important to remember that the fact that you have been diagnosed with ADHD does not mean you are a scourge. Many people who suffer from ADHD have mild symptoms and they can learn to manage their symptoms with the help of medications, therapy and healthy lifestyle practices.
Stimulants are the most common medication to treat ADHD. It comes in a variety of forms, including tablets and liquids. A health care provider will be able to prescribe the appropriate dosage and medication for the patient. They can also be able to give advice on healthier lifestyle habits that can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD such as regular exercise and ensuring that the patient gets enough sleep. In some cases, nonstimulant drugs like antidepressants could be used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step towards an accurate diagnosis. However, the best way to determine whether you have ADHD is to schedule a consultation with a mental health professional. A psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist can all conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnosis your mental health professional will review 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 about symptoms that have remained for at minimum six months. They will also review you or your child's medical, psychiatric and family background.
You may ask a spouse or other family member to provide details about the person's symptoms. This allows the mental health professional to gain a complete picture of the person's behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also use standardized ADHD behavior scales and ask the patient about their past experiences with school, work and relationships, as well as their hobbies.
adhd test for women is crucial for the mental health professional to be aware that other disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. They must therefore exclude other disorders that may be related to thyroid disorders and seizure disorders prior to determining if someone has ADHD.
In some instances, a mental health specialist may suggest a physical exam. This is essential for adults since certain medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health professional determines a diagnosis, he or she will explain that it is likely caused by neurological issues, for example, hypothalamus that is overactive or underactive. Genetic predisposition, poor diet and environmental factors, like substance abuse, stress and poor eating habits are common causes.
The mental health professional will then discuss the options for treatment. The best combination of treatments can help many people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live a full life. Other people are able to get accommodations at work and school like being able to take tests in a separate room or to take a longer break between classes, which make their lives more manageable.
Treatment
The diagnosis of ADHD symptoms is often the first step in controlling them. They can cause serious problems, whether at school, at work or at home. Treatment can include therapy and medication. Therapy can help someone improve their time management skills and develop methods for improving their organization, including daily planners or list. Therapists can also help teach emotional regulation and social skills. If a child suffers from co-existing issues, like depression or anxiety, therapy may help with those too.
The health professional who is conducting the examination will ask a series of questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological exam. These tests evaluate the performance of a person to that of people who are similar in age. These tests can tell the severity of a person's condition, whether they suffer from a learning disorder or other disorders that might coexist or look similar to ADHD. The specialist might give the person questionnaires and interview other adults, such as teachers or babysitters, to get a full picture of the person's behavior, challenges 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 wish to look over the school records of the past to determine whether the patient was troubled in childhood. Adults have a difficult time remembering their problems from their childhood, but according to current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms didn't occur frequently in more than one environment before age 12.
Before beginning any treatment, the doctor might check to see whether any medical issues might be causing or worsening the ADHD symptoms. Some of these conditions include seizures or thyroid issues which can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A medical examination could include a hearing and vision test. The specialist may also conduct a psychological or emotional history, talk to the person's parents or other family members and discuss the person's problems at school or at work.
Medication
Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate - are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They boost the levels of neurotransmitters which control attention and movements. When stimulants are prescribed, studies have shown that they reduce the risk of children suffering from ADHD abusing drugs and having other problems. It is crucial to be aware that stimulants may cause adverse effects. They can cause a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping as well as heart or lung problems.
Doctors may also prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. These work more slowly than stimulants and are safer for people with certain health issues or are unable to take stimulants due to unpleasant side effects, such as anxiety or ringing in the ears or changes in vision or the function of the heart and lungs. They may also be beneficial in treating tic disorders like Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants like bupropion and SSRIs are used to treat ADHD. These medications are not FDA approved for this purpose, and could be incompatible with stimulants.
It has been shown that other types of medications that are that treat high blood pressure, can also improve ADHD symptoms. They haven't been examined as in depth as stimulants.
Adults generally respond well to a combination of medicines as well as behavior therapy and skills training. Adults who receive this combination treatment feel more in control of their symptoms and are able to manage their symptoms.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from symptoms of ADHD you should ask your doctor or mental health professional for a referral to a specialist. You can also contact the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school for recommendations or check your insurance plan's list of specialists according to their specialties.
You can also use self-assessment tools to determine if you have ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is a simple test that can be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms.