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ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you believe that your child might have ADHD is to make an appointment for a diagnostic assessment. Only a clear diagnosis can aid in understanding and treating this condition.
During an evaluation the doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and development prior to the early years of childhood. They may also use symptoms checklists and scales for assessing behavior.
Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD for the first time, you must collect as much information as you can about the person. online testing for adhd could include a physical examination or obtaining health and school records, or talking to close family members, friends or teachers. It is also crucial to rule out other conditions which may trigger symptoms that mimic ADHD such as thyroid problems seizures, seizures, and other types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may be interested in knowing how the issues have affected the patient's life and relationships. You might ask if the person has trouble completing tasks or gets easily distracted. If they're often late for work or social occasions They may also have issues with time management, or lose things often. In children, the doctor might also inquire about whether the symptoms began before age 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in children and adults. They use standard diagnostic criteria, as laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if symptoms satisfy the criteria needed for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least six symptoms in each category for a minimum of six month.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a denial. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms and they can learn to manage their symptoms through the use of medications, therapy and healthy lifestyle practices.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD is stimulant. It comes in a variety of different forms including tablets, chewable pills, and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the correct medication and dosage to the patient. They can also offer advice on healthy lifestyle habits that will improve symptoms of ADHD, such as regular exercise or a good night's sleep. In certain instances the use of antidepressants as well as nonstimulant medications are employed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step towards an accurate diagnosis. The best way to determine whether you suffer from ADHD is to schedule a consultation with an expert in mental health. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all qualified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before determining a diagnosis, your mental health professional will go over American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child regarding symptoms persisting for at minimum six months. They will also look over you or your child's medical, psychiatric, and family medical history.
You may ask a spouse or other family member to provide 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 psychologist will also employ standard ADHD behavior rating scales as well as ask the patient about their past experiences in work, school and relationships, as well as their hobbies.
It is crucial that the mental health professional knows that other disorders may resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must exclude other disorders that may be related to seizures and thyroid disorders, before determining if a person has ADHD.
In certain instances, mental health professionals may recommend a physical exam. This is especially important in adults as certain medical conditions can trigger the same symptoms as ADHD.
When a mental health professional determines a diagnosis, he or she will explain that the problem is likely caused by neurological issues, such as hypothalamus overactive or underactive. Genetic predisposition, poor diet, and environmental factors, such as stress, alcohol abuse, and poor eating habits are common causes.
The mental health professional then discusses the treatment options. The best combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms, and live an active and fulfilling life. Other people are able to get accommodations at work and school, such as being allowed to take tests in a private room or to take a longer break between classes, that makes their lives easier.
Treatment
The process of determining a diagnosis is the first step in getting control of ADHD symptoms that can cause serious issues at work, school or at home. Therapy and medication are both a essential to the treatment. Therapy can help someone improve their time management skills and devise strategies for improving their organization, including daily planners or lists. Therapists can also teach the skills of social interaction and emotional regulation. If a child suffers from coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, counseling may help with those too.
The health care professional conducting the test will ask a series of questions and perform a neuropsychological or psychological exam. These tests evaluate the performance of a person with those of a similar age. They can determine if someone is suffering from a learning disability or any other disorder that appears like or are co-occurring with ADHD. The doctor may offer the patient a questionnaire, and also interview other adults, such as teachers or babysitters to gain an accurate picture of their behavior, issues 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 specialist might also want to examine the school records of the past to find out whether the patient had issues in the early years of their life. Adults can have trouble remembering their childhood issues. However, under current guidelines for diagnosing disorders, the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms did not occur regularly more than once before age 12.
Before starting any treatment, your doctor may check to see if any medical issues could be causing or aggravating the ADHD symptoms. Some of these ailments include seizures or thyroid problems that may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A medical exam might also include a hearing or vision test. The expert might also conduct an emotional or psychological history, interview the person's parents or other family members and discuss the person's concerns at school or at work.
Medication
Stimulants - like amphetamine and methylphenidate - are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They boost the amount of chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate attention and movement. If stimulants are taken as prescribed, studies have shown that they decrease the chance of children suffering from ADHD abusing drugs and having other problems. It is crucial to know that stimulants can have side effects. These include a decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, and lung or heart problems.
Doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. These drugs perform slower than stimulants, and are more suitable for patients with certain health issues or who cannot take stimulants due to unpleasant adverse effects like anxiety, ringing of the ears, or changes in vision, heart, and lung function. They may also be beneficial in treating tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants like 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 shown that other kinds of medication, including those that treat high blood pressure, can also improve ADHD symptoms. However, they have not been studied as extensively as stimulants.
In adults, a mix of medication, behavior therapy and skills training is often the most effective treatment. Adults who receive this combination treatment feel more at ease with their symptoms and are able to manage them.
If you think you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD consider asking your physician or mental health professional for an appointment with a specialist. You can also reach out to an institution of higher education or medical school, or graduate program for suggestions. Or you can take a look at the list specialists that are covered by your insurance plan.
You can also perform self-assessment tools to determine if you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is a simple checklist that can help you determine whether you suffer from symptoms of ADHD.
