10 Tips To Know About What Is An ADHD Assessment
What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will want to speak to you if you or your child exhibits signs of ADHD. He or she might ask about your family history and health. He or she will also ask about your child's school life. He or she will speak to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts, and religious leaders, and other people that know them well.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know thinks they might have ADHD, the first step to get an evaluation is to find an expert in the field who has experience diagnosing ADHD. Your family doctor should refer you to someone who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person who evaluates you will begin by asking about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They may also inquire about your work, school and social activities. The examiner will want see any records you have, such as performance evaluations from your work or school, as well as old report cards.
Interviews with teachers, family members and other adults will form part of a full assessment. The examiner will employ a variety of ratings and questionnaires to assess the person's ADHD and will also use standard tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples on how you behave in different situations. They will then compare your behavior to the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will determine if the ADHD affects the person's daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and developmental level. They will assess a person's symptoms to other people in similar situations. For instance, their classmates at school or in an athletic team.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the person must have a significant number of symptoms from both the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity sections of the criteria. The symptoms must be causing significant impairments in at least two areas of their lives. This will typically mean that children struggle with their schoolwork, and their relationships with their parents or siblings. Adults could lose their job if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator will also talk to people who know the person well such as relatives, friends and Scout or religious leaders. They will want to know about the way in which the person behaves in various situations and also how they behave at home and in other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
You must be able to show at least six traits (symptoms) that started before the age of 12. Additionally, you must be experiencing these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms should also interfere with your ability to perform at home, school, or at work. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental health issue. Your GP can refer to a specialist to conduct an assessment. You can print quotations from NICE 87 guidelines or download an official letter from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also inquire about your family, social and educational background. They may request your old school records and may want to interview teachers or others who know you from when you were a child. The evaluator will determine if there is a different explanation for your symptoms and may recommend that you undergo neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation could take several hours. Some adults require more than one appointment with their doctor to complete the evaluation. The evaluation specialist may discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The symptoms of the inattentive type are trouble staying focused and paying attention, forgetfulness and/or poor ability to organize. People with the hyperactive/impulsive type are restless and fidgety, often interrupt conversations or activities, have a hard time waiting for their turn, and may use other people's things without permission.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are unable to understand how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can result in financial difficulties and broken or strained marriages, and parenting problems. During the evaluation the clinician will talk with the ADHD person and their partner or spouse to learn how their problems influence the relationship. You may be asked to fill out checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric assessment for ADHD typically includes an interview with the person being evaluated and their caregivers, completion of questionnaires or rating scales that compare behavior of people suffering from ADHD to those of people who don't have it, and standardized testing. For children, the evaluator might take a look at their reports and ask for teachers to fill out questionnaires.
People suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their ADHD symptoms affect their work, social, and home life. Expect to be asked about how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, or if you don't finish tasks. The person evaluating them will want to know whether these signs are present for all time, or if they started in childhood (technically before age 12).
A person must experience significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be classified with ADHD such as school and work family relationships or social interactions. Examples of this include being fired from a job, not passing a class, or not paying bills on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some problems, but not major disruptions.
There are many factors that could trigger similar symptoms as those associated with ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A health care provider or mental health professional will examine the person's mood, medical background and other factors to rule out these possibilities.
Behavioral therapy is a standard treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn better ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective strategies for coping. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also reduce the effects of conditions that are underlying and mental health issues such as substance abuse or depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them understand their partner's perspective and improve their communication. It can also help their partner learn how to help and deal with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is characterised by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The use of medication can help reduce the symptoms. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill training, which can improve symptoms and allow people to perform better at school, at home, work or in their activities. It is not a cure-all and patients need to consult with their physician to learn how best to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few times to determine the best dosage and combination of medications however, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are a myriad of choices.
A specialist will interview a child, parent or an adult to find out about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay attention to behaviors that happen in different settings, including at home and in school. They will also inquire about the person's family history and their academic and occupational background. They will usually request performance evaluations from work or old report cards and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
Be aware that in order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD their symptoms must have started in childhood (technically before the age of 12). So, although an expert will only speak about the current symptoms during an assessment for diagnosis it is likely that they will require the assistance of others who knew the person as a child and might even talk to the person's parents or teachers.
Treatment for ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These medications are available in a variety of forms that include liquids, tablets and patches. what is an adhd assessment can cause adverse effects like trouble sleeping or agitation as well as loss of appetite, but generally, they are safe when prescribed by a physician. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have fewer side effects, but they are not recommended for all people.
A combination of medication therapy, therapy, as well as behavior changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. Children and adults may try several medications and change them depending on their needs or the circumstances change.