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ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is crucial to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This should include an interview with the doctor as well as information from outside sources such as spouse 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 teachers, religious leaders Scouts, coaches, or scouts. This is because ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood in order to be diagnosed as an adult.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms differ based on age, but a lot of children with this condition have difficulty focusing or paying attention. They might fumble or mutter out answers to questions or interrupt other people. They may also struggle with organizing skills, become bored easily and have trouble waiting their turn. Impulsive behavior can be defined as engaging in activities or rushing around without permission. They may also be inclined to use exuberant emotions or anger as a way to get their attention and may even make others mad or playing pranks on them.
A doctor might utilize questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if a child has ADHD. They can also ask teachers to complete rating scales. They may also perform physical or neurodevelopmental tests to identify any medical conditions that could cause symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid conditions and mood disorders.
The evaluator might also inquire if your child suffers from any other mental disorder, such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant syndrome or anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your family history, for instance, if anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric conditions.
Adults with ADHD struggle with managing their lives, including work and home responsibilities. They may also have difficulty being a good friend to family members or colleagues. They may be late for appointments or fail to show up for social engagements due to their ailments. The difficulties they face in school could cause 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 the patient as well as someone 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 help the doctor determine what tests could exclude other conditions that cause symptoms of ADHD. They can also utilize a checklist to detect these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD involves several appointments with doctors and therapists. The diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms and their impact on a person's life. A correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms, that can hinder the family and work. The diagnosis is made by a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD and related disorders, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The doctor will talk about the patient's medical history and symptoms, as well as when they first started to notice. The doctor might request a journal of their symptoms and how they impact their lives. This can be very useful in obtaining an exact picture of the issue and assisting in determining which tests or evaluations are needed to determine if ADHD is the cause of the symptoms.
The doctor may also utilize questionnaires to determine the symptoms. This could include questionnaires to parents and teachers to assess children for the disorder, as well as 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.
Certain doctors may also conduct an exam to determine if there's no physical condition such as thyroid issues or seizures, which could be causing the issue. Other tests can be conducted to screen for other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, the doctor will request brain scans to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD but can be useful when other diagnostic procedures have failed.
For adults who suspect that they or their child is suffering from ADHD, the best place to begin is to speak with an primary care physician. If the patient does not have a primary doctor, they should inquire with their insurance company to request the list of health professionals in their area who are able to perform an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treatment is an evaluation by a physician who can determine if symptoms are related to ADHD or another mental health condition. A thorough assessment could include a conversation with the child and a parent and rating scales to compare behavior to that of people without ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that can trigger symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. These include thyroid problems or head injuries, as well as seizures. It might be necessary to undergo an examination for physical health to rule out these illnesses. A psychological exam will be needed to determine if symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental health condition like anxiety.
The symptoms of ADHD can cause significant difficulties in school, work and relationships. The person being evaluated should discuss the problems 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 possible, including how they impact their lives at home and at school. Parents should be included in evaluations but not in the decision-making process.
The dosage of the medication will depend on the child's age, the condition that is causing the symptoms and the kind of medication prescribed. For example stimulants are often prescribed in children and teens to treat ADHD because they help by stimulating the areas of the brain that regulate attention and behavior. These medications are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets, which release the medicine slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
visit their website for treating ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavior therapy that teaches specific strategies to transform negative behavior into positive behavior. These treatments may be beneficial to adults suffering from ADHD and also occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important part of treatment is the follow-up phase, with frequent meetings to examine progress and determine the next steps. Parents should be encouraged to include teachers and other professionals, including Scout leaders and religious leaders in the process. These experts can provide valuable advice about how the child behaves and function in different situations.
Medication
ADHD is treated using various medications. The most common are stimulants, which work by increasing the activity in specific brain areas that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children over age 5. It is available in tablet form, usually 2-3 times a day. It is available as 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 impairments significantly improve after a few weeks of medication. These effects are usually seen in home, school and social situations. The impact of these variables on performance is measured using one or more standardized ratings scales that measure the behavior of an individual to other people. The scores of these rating forms are not considered to be diagnostic in themselves however they serve as important sources of information that can be used when evaluating the process.
In addition to medication, there are also non-medicated solutions for ADHD that include behavioral therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in the area of behavior management prior to attempting medications on their children. The guidelines also recommend 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. Some kids and teens who take stimulants can develop tics which are repeated movements or sounds, like eye blinking or clearing the throat. Some children and teens who are taking ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their growth, however this is typically minor and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, but research shows that this is not a significant risk for the doses used to treat ADHD. Certain adolescents and children with ADHD are more prone for addiction issues however, this is due to the disorder, not the medication.
Another possible adverse result of ADHD medication is the risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research found that people who use stimulant drugs 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 who had ADHD. They compared these participants to 51 672 healthy controls without ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.
