ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation of ADHD. get an adhd assessment includes a physician interview, information from other sources, like the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may suggest speaking to your child's teachers, religious leaders, scouts or coaches. This is because ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood before they can be recognized as an adult.
The symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD differ based on age, but children suffering from ADHD often have difficulty staying focused on their tasks or paying attention to people. They may fidget and mutter out answers to questions or interrupt others. They might also struggle with organization, get easily bored and have a hard waiting to be the next. Impulsive behavior is often described as jumping into activities or running around in circles without permission. They may also be inclined to use explosive emotions or anger as a way to get their attention and may even make others angry or playing pranks with them.
In an evaluation, a physician may employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if the child is suffering from ADHD. They may also ask the child's teachers to complete rating scales. They can also conduct a neurodevelopmental or physical exam to find any medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluater will also want to be aware of if your child has any other mental health conditions, such as oppositional defiant disorder or anxiety disorders or conduct disorder. They will also ask you about your family history. For instance, if any other members of your family have ADHD or other psychiatric issues.
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty managing their lives, including home and work responsibilities. They may also have trouble being a good coworker or family members. They might also be late to appointments or not show up for social occasions due to their ailments. The difficulties they face in school could result in academic failure and poor 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 conduct an interview with both the patient and an individual who is familiar with them. This could include a spouse, parent or teacher, coach, nanny, or coach for children. The information gathered will help the doctor determine what, if any, tests can determine if other conditions cause symptoms of ADHD. They can also employ a checklist to determine the symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves a number of appointments with therapists and doctors. The diagnosis is made based on symptoms and how they impact the person's daily life. It is important to get the correct diagnosis to control symptoms that can interfere with the family life and work. A healthcare provider who is an expert in ADHD such as psychologists or psychiatrists will be able to diagnose the condition.
The doctor will review the patient's medical history and symptoms, including an explanation of when they first noticed. The doctor may request a journal of the symptoms they experience and how they affect their lives. This is a great way 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 cause.
In addition to observing how a person is functioning in various settings, the doctor will employ questionnaires to determine the symptoms. The doctor could utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to evaluate children, and an interview with the patient to assess 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 may also perform an exam to make sure there isn't a physical condition, such as thyroid problems or seizures, which could be the root of the problem. Other tests may be conducted to check for other conditions like anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor may request brain scans to determine the cause of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD but they can be helpful when other tests for diagnosis have not worked.
If you or your child suspects they have ADHD, it is best to speak with a primary doctor. If the person does not have a primary doctor, they should call their insurance company for the list of health specialists in their area who are able to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treating is an evaluation by a doctor who will determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health issue. A thorough evaluation may include a conversation with the child and parents and rating scales that measure behavior to that of people without ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD which include thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. It might be necessary to perform an exam for physical symptoms to rule out any of these ailments. A psychological examination may be necessary to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental health condition, such as anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a significant impact on work, school, and relationships. The person who is being evaluated should be able to discuss the issues they're experiencing openly and honestly with the examiner, and not be hesitant because of shame or fear of being judged. They should describe their symptoms as in detail as they can and include the way they affect their lives at home and at school. Parents should be involved in the assessment, but they should not make the decision to administer medication to their child.
The type of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age as well as the condition creating the symptoms, and the type of medication. For example, stimulants are typically prescribed to adolescents and children with ADHD. They stimulate brain activity in areas that regulate the behavior and attention. These medications can be in the form of immediate-release tablets or modified-release tablets that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other kinds of treatment for ADHD could include counseling for the family or marital relationship, or cognitive behavior therapy, which provides specific techniques to change negative behaviors into positive ones. These treatments may be beneficial to some adults with ADHD, as well occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important part of treatment is following-up with regular meetings to evaluate progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to take part in the process, for example Scout or religious leaders. These experts can provide valuable information about how the child behaves and function in different situations.
Medication
There are many different medications used to treat ADHD. The most popular are stimulants, which work by increasing the activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children older than five years old is the most popular. It is available in tablet form, usually 2-3 times per day. It is available as immediate-release (short-acting), or extended-release (taken at least once per day in the morning and released throughout the day).
Many people report that they feel better after taking medication. These effects are typically seen in the home, school, and social settings. The effect on performance in these environments is measured with one or more standardized rating scales, which compare behaviours of an individual to those of other people. These ratings are not diagnostic in their own right, but provide valuable objective information for the evaluation process.
There are many non-medical treatments for ADHD such as the use of behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents undergo training in managing their behavior prior to trying medications on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be a part of the treatment plan for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
The most common side effects of ADHD medication are stomach upset as well as changes in blood pressure and heart rate as well as sleep disturbances. Children and teens who are taking stimulants might develop tics. These are repeated actions or sounds, such as eye-blinking or throat clearing. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for certain children and teens, but it's usually not significant and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential for addiction and abuse, but research shows that there is no significant risk at the doses used to treat ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to substances in some teens and children, but this is not due to the medication.
A possible side consequence of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A recent study revealed that those who used stimulant medications for ADHD had a greater chance of developing CVD than those who did not take the drugs. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 individuals which included 10 388 individuals who suffer from ADHD. They compared them with 51 672 control participants without ADHD. They followed them for 14 years.