ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before starting any treatment, it is essential to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This should include an interview with a clinician, information from independent sources such as spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales and tests that are standardized.
Experts may want to talk to your child's religious leaders, teachers Scouts, coaches, or scouts. This is because ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood to be diagnosed as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD are different based on age, but children with ADHD often have difficulty staying focused on tasks or paying attention to people. They might fumble or mutter out answers when asked questions or interrupt other people. They might also have issues with organization, get easily bored and have a hard time waiting for their turn. Some signs of impulsive behavior include a tendency to engage in activities without permission, rushing around or climbing places they shouldn't. They may also be prone to using extreme excitement or anger to stimulate themselves and may even make others angry or playing pranks with them.
In an assessment, a doctor may use clinical interviews or questionnaires to determine whether a child has ADHD. They can also ask teachers to complete ratings scales. They can also conduct physical or neurodevelopmental tests to find any medical issues that may trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator can also ask whether your child is suffering from any other mental disorder like conduct disorder, oppositional defiant syndrome or anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your family history. For instance, if any other family members have ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle with managing their lives, which includes household and work obligations. They may also have issues getting along with family members or colleagues. Their symptoms can also result in them being late for appointments or not attend social gatherings. Their academic difficulties can lead to failure in school and poor job performance.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least six months. Doctors will interview both the patient and an individual who is familiar with them. This could include a spouse, parent, teacher or coach, nanny or a coach for children. The details will aid the doctor determine what tests, if necessary, can rule out other conditions causing ADHD symptoms. They might also use a checklist to determine the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of sessions with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is made according to the severity of the symptoms and how they affect the individual's daily activities. A correct diagnosis is essential for gaining control over the symptoms that can hinder work and family life. A healthcare provider who is an expert in ADHD, like a psychiatrist or a psychologist will be able to determine the cause of the disorder.
assess adhd will go over the patient's medical history and symptoms and when they first appeared. The doctor may ask the patient for a diary detailing their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This can be extremely helpful to gain a clear understanding of the problem and to decide on the tests or evaluations will be required to determine if ADHD is the root cause.
In adhd assessment to observing how the person performs in various situations, the doctor may employ questionnaires to determine the signs. The doctor may use questionnaires for parents or teachers to evaluate children, and an interview with the patient to determine the symptoms. The questions are often similar to those in the NIMH ADHD diagnostic criteria, which help doctors identify whether a person is exhibiting hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive symptoms.
Some doctors will also conduct an examination to make sure that there isn't any physical issue such as thyroid issues or seizures, which could be the cause of the problem. Other tests may be conducted to determine if there are other issues such as depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, adhd assessments may request brain scans to rule out possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't routinely used to diagnose ADHD, could be a useful tool when other diagnostic procedures have been ruled out.
For adults who suspect that they or their child has ADHD, the best place to begin is to speak with an primary doctor. If the patient doesn't have a primary physician, they can contact their insurance company for a list that includes health professionals who are trained to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treatment is an evaluation by a doctor who can determine whether the symptoms are related to ADHD or another mental health condition. An extensive evaluation could include a conversation with the child and parents and rating scales that compare behavior to that of people without ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. These include thyroid issues, head injuries, and seizures. It is possible to undergo an examination for physical health to rule out these conditions. A psychological examination will also be necessary to determine if the symptoms are related to ADHD or some other mental health issue, like anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a major impact on work, school and relationships. The person being evaluated must be honest and candid with the examiner about any issues they're facing. They shouldn't hide their feelings because of fear of being judged or shame. They should be able to describe the symptoms as accurately as they can and include the ways they affect them both at home and in school. Parents should be included in evaluating their children but not in the decision-making process.
The type of medication prescribed will depend on the condition that is causing it, symptoms and age of the child. For instance stimulants are often prescribed in adolescents and children to treat ADHD due to their effectiveness in increasing activity in areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. These medications are available in the form of immediate-release tablets or modified-release tablets that release the medicine slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, which is the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD, is available in tablet form.
Other treatments for ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment that teaches specific strategies to change negative behavior into positive behavior. Some adults who have ADHD may benefit from these treatments, as well as from educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important thing is the follow-up. It is essential to hold regular meetings to review progress and decide the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to be involved in the process, including religious or scout leaders. These professionals can provide valuable information about how the child behaves in various settings and give a fuller picture of how the child is performing.
Medication
There are many different medications that are used to treat ADHD. Most commonly, stimulants are used to increase the activity of certain brain regions that control attention and behaviour. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children older than 5 years old. It is a tablet form, usually 2-3 times a day. It is available in immediate-release (short-acting) or extended-release (taken every day in the morning, and released throughout the day).
Many people have reported that their symptoms and impairments significantly improve after a period of medication. These effects can be observed in social, educational and home settings. The effect of these factors on performance is evaluated by using one or more standardized ratings scales that measure the behavior of an individual to others. These ratings are not diagnostic by themselves however they provide useful, information that can be used to aid in the evaluation process.
In addition to medication, there are also non-medicated treatments for ADHD which include behavior therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents undergo training in behavior management before trying medication for their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy as well as classroom-based interventions be included in the treatment plans for adolescents and teens suffering from ADHD.
Most commonly, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some children and teens who are taking stimulants may develop tics. They are repetitive actions or sounds like eye-blinking or throat clearing. ADHD medication may cause a slight reduction in growth for some teenagers and children, but it is usually minor and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
These medications have the potential to cause abuse and addiction, but research shows that this is not a significant risk with the doses prescribed to treat ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to substances in some teens and children but this isn't due to the medication.
A potential adverse effect of ADHD medication includes the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A recent study showed that people who took stimulant medications for ADHD had a higher risk of developing CVD than others who didn't take the medications. The researchers analyzed data from 278 027 people which included 10 388 individuals with ADHD. They compared these individuals to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. They followed them for 14 years.