ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before starting any treatment, it is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation of ADHD. This should include an interview with the clinician and information from other sources such as spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may want to talk to your child's religious leaders, teachers Scouts, coaches, or scouts. ADHD symptoms must be evident from the beginning of childhood to be recognized at an adult age.
The symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can vary based on age, however many children suffering from this disorder are unable to focus or pay attention. They may fidget or blurt out answers to questions or interrupt other people. They might also struggle with organization, be easily bored and have a difficult waiting to be the next. Symptoms of impulsive behavior can include jumping into activities without permission, rushing around or climbing places they aren't allowed to go. They may also be prone to using exuberant excitement or anger to excite their own egos, for example by making others mad or playing off pranks.
In an assessment, a doctor may employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if the child has ADHD. They may also ask teachers to fill out rating scales. They can also conduct an exam of the brain or a physical to identify possible medical problems that can cause symptoms of ADHD, such as thyroid disorders or mood disorders.
The evaluation will also need to know if your child has any other mental health conditions like oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorders or conduct disorder. They will also ask about your family history, for instance, whether any other family members have ADHD or any other psychiatric issues.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time managing their lives, including the demands of home and work. They may also have issues working with colleagues or family members. They might be late for appointments or fail to show up for social engagements due to their symptoms. Their difficulties in school can 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 a person who is familiar with them. This could include a spouse, parent, teacher or coach, nanny or coach for children. The information gathered will help the doctor determine which, if any, tests might exclude other conditions that cause symptoms of ADHD. They may also employ an assessment tool designed to detect these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of appointments with doctors or therapists. The diagnosis is made according to the severity of the symptoms and how they impact the person's daily life. A correct diagnosis is essential to gaining control over the symptoms, which can affect work and family life. The diagnosis is done by a medical professional who is specialized in ADHD and related disorders, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical history and symptoms, which includes a discussion of when they first appeared. The doctor might request a journal of the symptoms they experience and how they impact their lives. This can be extremely helpful to gain a clear understanding of the issue, and also to determine which tests or evaluations will be needed to determine if ADHD is the reason.
The doctor may also utilize questionnaires to evaluate the symptoms. The doctor could utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to assess children, as well as 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 will also do an exam to ensure there's no physical condition like thyroid issues or seizures, that could be the cause of the problem. Other tests could be performed to check for other conditions like anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor may order brain scans in order to rule out possible causes of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful when other tests for diagnosing the condition have failed.
If you are an adult who suspects that you or their child has ADHD, the best place to begin is to talk to an primary health care provider. If the person does not have a primary physician, they can contact their insurance company for the list of health professionals who are certified to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can determine if symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental condition. A thorough assessment could include a conversation with the child and parents and rating scales to compare behavior to that of people who do not have ADHD.
Many medical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD which include thyroid problems seizures, head injuries and seizures. A physical exam could be required to determine these causes. A psychological examination will also be required to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental health condition, such as anxiety.
The symptoms of ADHD can cause significant problems in work, school and in relationships. The person being evaluated must discuss the issues they are having candidly 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, including 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 prescribe medication for their child.
The kind of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age as well as the condition leading to the symptoms and the kind of medication. For example, stimulants are typically prescribed to children and teens with ADHD. They help by stimulating brain activity in areas that regulate the behavior and attention. These medications are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the drug slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, which is the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD is available in tablet form.
Other options for treating ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment, which teaches specific techniques to transform negative behavior to positive ones. These treatments may be beneficial for some adults with ADHD and also occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important part of treatment is follow-up, with frequent meetings to examine progress and determine next steps. Parents should be encouraged to include teachers and other professionals, including Scout leaders and religious leaders in the process. They can offer valuable information about how the child behaves in different situations and offer a complete picture of the child's functioning.
Medication
ADHD is treated using a variety of medications. The most popular are stimulants, which work by increasing activity in certain brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant for adults, teenagers and children who are over 5 years old. It is available in tablet format and is usually taken 2 to 3 times per day. It is available in immediate release (short acting) or extended-release versions (taken once a day but released throughout the entire day).
Many people say they feel better after taking medication. These effects can be seen in educational, social and home settings. The impact on performance in these settings is assessed using one or more standardized rating scales that compare the behaviors of the individual with those of other people. The scores of these forms of rating are not considered to be diagnostic in themselves, but they serve as important sources of information when evaluating the process.
There are non-medical treatment options for ADHD, including behavior therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents undergo training in the area of behavior management prior to attempting medication on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be part of the treatment program for adolescents and teenagers with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Children and teens who are taking stimulants could develop tics. These are repetitive sounds or movements such as eye-blinking, or clearing the throat. ADHD medication may cause a slight reduction in growth for certain children and teens, but it's usually minimal and doesn't affect their height.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential for abuse and addiction, but studies show that there isn't a significant risk at the doses prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain teens and children who suffer from ADHD are more at risk for problems with substance use however, this is due to the disorder and not the medication.
A possible adverse effect of ADHD medication is the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research has found that those who use stimulant drugs to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who don't. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 people, which included 10 388 who had ADHD. They compared these individuals to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. cheap adhd assessment were followed for 14 years.