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ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you suspect that your child or you has ADHD the first step is to make an appointment to receive a diagnosis. Only an accurate diagnosis can aid in understanding and treating this condition.
During your examination during an evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and development prior to the early years of childhood. They may also use symptom checklists and scales for assessing behavior.
Symptoms
To determine the presence of ADHD, you need to gather as much information as possible about the person. This could involve undergoing an exam for physical examination, collecting health and school records or speaking with family members teachers, coworkers, or other close friends. It is essential to rule out any other conditions that could trigger symptoms similar to ADHD including seizures, thyroid disorders and a variety of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may be interested in knowing how the issues have affected the patient's life and relationships. It is possible to inquire if the person has trouble completing tasks or gets easily distracted. If they're frequently late for work or social occasions they might also have problems with time management or lose things frequently. For children, the doctor might also inquire if the symptoms began before age 12 years old.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to recognize ADHD in adults and children. They will employ standardized criteria as set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms match the diagnostic criteria needed 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 exhibit at least six signs in each category for at least six months.
It is important to keep in mind that being diagnosed with ADHD does not mean that you are condemned. Many people with ADHD have mild symptoms, and they can learn how to manage their symptoms with the help of medications, therapy and healthy lifestyle habits.
Stimulants are among the most popular medication to treat ADHD. It comes in many different forms that include liquids and tablets. A health care provider can prescribe the correct dosage and medication to the patient. They can also offer suggestions on healthy lifestyles which can improve the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise or a good night's sleep. In some cases, antidepressants and nonstimulant medication can be used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step towards making a proper diagnosis. However, the best method to determine if you suffer from ADHD is to schedule a clinical evaluation with an expert in mental health. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all able to provide an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnosis your mental health professional will study the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines for the disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will interview you or your child about the symptoms that have persisted for at least six months. They will also examine the family history of your child or you, medical and psychiatric history.
You could ask your spouse or another family member to share information about the person's symptoms. This helps the mental healthcare professional to get a full picture of the person's behavior and ADHD experience. The clinician will also use standardized ADHD behavior scales and ask the patient about their previous experiences in school, work and relationships, as well as their hobbies.
It is important that the mental health professional understands that other conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. They must therefore exclude other disorders, such as thyroid disorders and seizure disorders prior to determining if someone has ADHD.
In certain instances, an expert in mental health may recommend a physical examination. This is crucial for adults as certain medical conditions can produce the similar symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health professional is able to diagnose a problem and confirms the diagnosis, they will explain that the condition is likely to be caused by neurological issues, such as hypothalamus overactive or underactive. Genetic predisposition, poor nutrition and environmental factors, like stress, alcohol abuse, and poor nutrition are common causes.
The mental health professional will discuss the options for treatment. For many, the correct combination of treatments allows them to manage their ADHD symptoms and live their lives to the fullest. private adhd test are able find accommodations in their workplaces and schools, for example, the ability to take tests privately or have an extended break during class. This makes life easier.
Treatment
Finding out the diagnosis is the first step to getting control of ADHD symptoms that could cause serious issues at work, school or at home. Treatment can include therapy and medication. Therapy can help someone improve their time management skills and learn methods to improve their organization, such as daily planners or lists. A therapist can also teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child has coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, therapy could help with those as well.
The health care professional doing the evaluation might ask a series of questions and complete an examination for neuropsychological or psychological. These tests are used to compare the performance of an individual to that of typical people who are the same age. These tests can tell the severity of a person's condition, whether they suffer from a learning disorder or any other disorders that might be related to or resemble ADHD. The doctor may offer the patient a questionnaire and interview other adults, such as teachers or babysitters to gain an accurate picture of their 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 look over old school records in order to determine if the individual had issues as a kid. Adults often have a difficult remembering their difficulties in childhood, however, according to current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms did not occur frequently in more than one environment before the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, your doctor might check to see if any medical issues could be causing or aggravated the ADHD symptoms. Some of these conditions include seizures or thyroid problems that can have symptoms similar to ADHD. A medical examination may also include a vision or hearing test. The doctor may also conduct a psychological or emotional history, talk to the person's parents or other family members and discuss the person's issues at work or school.
Medication
Stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. They increase the levels of chemical in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate attention and movement. When stimulants are used as prescribed, studies show that they lower the risk of children with ADHD taking drugs and developing other problems. However, it's important to be aware of the potential adverse effects, which could include an increased appetite, difficulty sleeping and lung or heart problems in some children.
Doctors may also prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or guanfacine. These drugs perform slower than stimulants, and are safe for patients with certain health issues or who are unable to take stimulants due a negative side effects such as anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes in the heart, vision, and lung function. They can also help treat tic disorders such as Tourette Syndrome. Some antidepressants such as bupropion and SSRIs can also be used to treat ADHD. These medications aren't FDA approved for this purpose and may be incompatible with stimulants.
It has been demonstrated that other medications, including those used to treat high blood pressure, can also help improve ADHD symptoms. However, they haven't been studied as extensively as stimulants.
In adults, a mix of medication, behavior therapy and training in skills is usually the most effective treatment. Adults who receive this type of treatment feel more at ease with their symptoms and able manage them.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional to recommend an expert if you believe that you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD. You can also reach out to the hospital of a university, medical school or graduate program to get recommendations. You can also check out the list of specialists in your insurance plan.
You can also perform a self-assessment to determine if you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is an easy checklist that can be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms.