ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is important to keep in mind that a thorough assessment of ADHD is necessary before starting any treatment. This should include an interview with the doctor, information from independent sources like spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales, as well as standardized testing.
Experts may want to talk to your child's religious leaders, teachers Scouts, coaches, or scouts. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood in order to be diagnosed as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD vary by age, but children suffering from ADHD often have difficulty staying focused on tasks or paying attention to others. They may fidget or mutter out answers when asked questions, or interrupt other people. They may also struggle with organization skills, are easily bored and have difficulty waiting their turn. Some signs of impulsive behavior include jumping into activities without permission, running around or climbing where they aren't supposed to go. They might also be prone to using extreme emotions or anger as a source of stimulation, such as making others angry or playing pranks on them.
In an assessment, a doctor may use clinical interviews or questionnaires to determine whether the child is suffering from ADHD. They may also request that the child's teachers fill out rating scales. They may also perform an exam of the brain or a physical to detect possible medical issues that can cause symptoms of ADHD such as thyroid disorders or mood disorders.
The evaluator might also inquire 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 other members of your family are suffering from ADHD or other psychiatric issues.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, including work and home responsibilities. They may also have trouble getting along with their coworkers or family members. Their symptoms can also cause them to be late for appointments or not attend social events. Their academic issues can lead to a 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 conduct an interview with the patient as well as an individual who is familiar with them. This could be a spouse, parent or teacher, coach, nanny, or coach for children. The information gathered will help the doctor determine which, if any, tests can determine if other conditions are causing symptoms of ADHD. They may also employ a checklist to determine the symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves several sessions with therapists and doctors. The diagnosis is according to the severity of the symptoms and how they affect the person's daily life. It is essential to get the right diagnosis in order to manage symptoms that could affect the family life and work. The diagnosis is done by a medical professional who is specialized in ADHD like psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will discuss the patient's medical history and symptoms, as well as when they first started to notice. The doctor may ask the patient for a journal of their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This can be extremely useful in obtaining an accurate picture of the issue and helping to decide what tests or assessments are needed to determine whether ADHD is the cause of the symptoms.
In addition to observing how the person performs in different settings, the doctor will employ questionnaires to determine the symptoms. This could include questionnaires for parents and teachers to determine if children are suffering from the disorder, and a patient interview to identify the symptoms they are experiencing. 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 do an exam to ensure there isn't a physical condition that could cause thyroid problems or seizures, that could be the cause of the problem. Other tests can be done to screen other conditions like anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor will request brain scans to identify other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't typically used to diagnose ADHD, can be a useful test when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been ruled out.
If you or your child suspects that they might have ADHD, it is best to consult a primary doctor. If the person doesn't have a primary doctor, they should inquire with their insurance company for an inventory of health professionals in their area who are able to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental condition. A thorough assessment could include an interview with the child and a parent and rating scales that measure the behavior of those with and who do not have ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. These include thyroid issues, head injuries, and seizures. It might be necessary to conduct an exam for physical symptoms to rule out any of these conditions. A psychological examination will also be needed to determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health condition like anxiety.
The symptoms of ADHD can cause significant impairment in school, work and in relationships. The person being evaluated should be honest and open with the examiner about the issues they're facing. They shouldn't be hesitant for fear of criticism or shame. They should describe their symptoms in as much detail as they can including the way they affect them at home as well as at school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation, but they should not make the decision to administer medication to their child.
The kind of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age, the condition that is creating the symptoms, and the kind of medication prescribed. For instance stimulants are often prescribed in children and teens to treat ADHD because they work by stimulating the areas of the brain responsible for attention and behavior. These medications can be in the form of tablets that release immediately or modified-release tablets that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD is available in tablet form.
Other options for treating ADHD include marital and family therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment that teaches specific strategies to transform negative behaviors into positive behaviors. Certain adults with ADHD might benefit from these therapies and also from occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important thing is the follow-up. There should be frequent meetings to assess the progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to participate in the process, for example religious or scout leaders. These experts can provide valuable information on how the child behaves and function in different situations.
Medication
There are a variety of medications that are used to treat ADHD. The most commonly used are stimulants, which work by increasing activity in certain brain areas that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant for teenagers, adults and children over age 5. It is a tablet form, typically 2-3 times a day. It is available in immediate-release (short acting) or extended-release forms (taken one time a day but released throughout the entire day).
Many people say they feel better after taking a medication. These effects can be seen in social, educational and home settings. The effect of these influences on performance is measured using one or more standardized ratings scales, which compare the performance of a person to other people. assess adhd are not diagnostic in themselves but they can provide valuable, objective information for the evaluation process.
There are many non-medical treatments for ADHD, including behavioral therapy and training of parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents receive training in behavior management before trying medication for their children. The guidelines also recommend psychotherapy and a classroom-based intervention to be part of the treatment program for adolescents and teenagers with ADHD.
The most frequent adverse effects of ADHD medication include stomach upset as well as changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and sleep disturbances. assessment adhd and children who are taking stimulants may develop tics that are repetitive movements or sounds, such as eye blinking, or throat clearing. Some teens and children who take ADHD medication may experience a slight reduction in their growth, but it is usually minor and doesn't impact their final height.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, however research shows that this is not a significant risk for the doses used to treat ADHD. Certain adolescents and children with ADHD are more at risk for addiction issues, but that is due to the disorder and not the medication.
A possible adverse consequence of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A recent study revealed that people who took stimulant medication for ADHD were more likely of developing CVD than others who didn't take the medications. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 people which included 10 388 individuals who suffer from ADHD. They compared them to 51 672 people who were not diagnosed with ADHD. The participants were monitored for 14 years.