ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is crucial to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This should include a clinician interview, other sources, such as the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, and standard tests.
Experts might suggest talking to your child's religious leaders, teachers, scouts or coaches. ADHD symptoms must be evident from the beginning of childhood to be diagnosed at an adult age.
ADHD symptoms
The signs of ADHD differ based on age, however children who suffer from ADHD are often having trouble staying focused on tasks or paying attention to people. They might fidget or mutter answers to questions or interrupt other people. They might also struggle organizing, become easily bored and have a difficult waiting to be the next. Impulsive behavior is often defined as getting involved in activities or running around in circles without permission. They may also be prone to using exuberant excitement or anger to excite themselves, for example, by making others mad or playing pranks.
A doctor may use questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if a child is ADHD. They can also ask the child's teachers to complete rating scales. They may also perform an examination of the brain or physical to identify any medical conditions that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator will also want to determine if your child suffers from any other mental health issues, such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder or anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your family history, including whether any other family members have ADHD or other psychiatric conditions.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a difficult time managing their lives, which includes the demands of home and work. They may also have difficulty working with colleagues or family members. The symptoms of these people can result in them being late for appointments or fail to attend social events. Their difficulties in school can cause an academic failure as well as 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 and anyone who knows them well such as a spouse or parent for adults or a teacher, coach, nanny or coach for children. The information collected will allow the doctor to determine which tests might rule out other conditions that are causing symptoms of ADHD. They might also use a checklist designed to identify these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD involves a series of appointments with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is dependent on the presence of symptoms and their impact on the individual's life. A correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms which can interfere with work and family life. The diagnosis is given by a healthcare professional who specializes in ADHD like a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical background and symptoms, as well as when they first started to notice. The doctor might ask the patient for a journal of their symptoms and how they impact their lives. This can be very helpful to get a clear picture of the problem and to decide on the tests or assessments will be needed to determine if ADHD is the cause.
The doctor may also use questionnaires to determine 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 examination to ensure there isn't any physical issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures, which could be the root of the issue. Other tests may be done to check for other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor will order brain scans to help rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't routinely used to diagnose ADHD but could be a useful test when other diagnostic procedures have been ruled out.
For adults who suspect they or their child may have ADHD the best place to start is to speak with a primary health care provider. If the patient does not have a primary doctor or a primary care physician, they can ask their insurance provider to request a list that includes health professionals who are trained to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental disorder. A thorough evaluation can include an interview with a parent and child and rating scales that assess the child's behavior with those of people who do not have ADHD.
There are many medical conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. These include thyroid problems as well as head injuries and seizures. A physical exam may also be required to rule out these causes. A psychological examination will be required to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or a different mental health condition such as anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a significant impact on school, work and interpersonal relationships. how do i get my son assessed for adhd who is being evaluated should be able to discuss the issues they are having in a candid and honest manner with the examiner and not hold back from fear of embarrassment or shame of criticism. They should be able to describe the symptoms as accurately as is possible and also how they affect them at home and in school. Parents should be included in evaluating their children but not in the decision-making process.
The kind of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age and the condition causing the symptoms and the kind of medication. For example, stimulants are typically prescribed to teens and children with ADHD. They stimulate brain activity in areas that control attention and behaviour. These medications are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets, which release the medicine gradually throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, is available in tablet form.
Other options for treating ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavior therapy which teaches specific methods to change negative behavior to positive ones. These therapies may be beneficial to adults suffering from ADHD, as well occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important part is the follow-up. There should be regular meetings to evaluate the progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to be involved in the process, including Scout leaders or religious leaders. These experts can provide valuable advice about how the child behaves and performs in various situations.
Medication
There are many different drugs that are used to treat ADHD. The most popular are stimulants that work by increasing activity in specific brain regions that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant for teenagers, adults and children older than 5 years old. It is taken in tablet form, usually 2 to 3 times a day. It is available in immediate release (short-acting), or extended-release (taken at least once per day in the morning and released throughout the day).
Many people have reported that their symptoms and impairment significantly improve after a few weeks of medication. These effects are typically observed in the home, school, and social settings. The effect of these influences on performance is evaluated by using one or more standardized ratings scales, which compare the behavior of an individual with other people. These ratings are not diagnostic in their own right but they can provide valuable, objective information for the evaluation process.
There are non-medical treatment options for ADHD such as the use of behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents attend training on behavior management prior to attempting 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.
Most commonly, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Certain children and teens who are taking stimulants might develop tics. They are repetitive movements or noises like eye-blinking or clearing the throat. Some children and teens who take ADHD medication may notice a slight slowdown in their growth, however this is typically minor and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
Stimulant medication does have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, however studies have shown that this is not a problem at the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of substance abuse in some kids and teens, but this is not due to the medication.
A possible side effect of ADHD medication is the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research found that people who take stimulant medication to treat ADHD have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease than those who do not. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 people with ADHD. They compared them to 51 672 people who were not diagnosed with ADHD. These participants were tracked for 14 years.