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ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD the first step is to schedule an appointment to receive a diagnosis. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the only way to comprehend and treat the condition.
During your evaluation during an evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and growth going back to the early years of childhood. They may also use behavior rating scales as well as symptom checklists.
Symptoms
The first step in identifying ADHD is to collect as much information about the person as you can. This could include an exam for physical examination, collecting medical and school records, or speaking with family members, teachers, coworkers or other close friends. It is also important to rule out any other conditions that can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD like thyroid issues as well as seizures and various types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will be interested in knowing how the symptoms have affected the patient's daily life. It is possible to inquire whether the person is having difficulty working through tasks or is easily distracted. If they're often late for work or social occasions, they may also struggle with time management or lose things often. For children, the physician may also ask about whether the symptoms began before age 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults and children. They will use standardized criteria as set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria needed for a diagnosis of ADHD. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have six or more symptoms in one of the categories for a minimum of six months.
It is crucial to remember that a diagnosis for ADHD does not mean you are deserving of punishment. Many people suffering from ADHD have mild symptoms, and they can learn how to manage their symptoms through the use of therapy, medication and healthy lifestyle habits.
Stimulants are among the most popular treatment for ADHD. It comes in many different forms such as tablets and liquids. A health care provider can prescribe the appropriate dosage and medication for the patient. They will also be able to give tips on healthier lifestyles which can reduce the symptoms of ADHD such as regular exercise and making sure that a person gets enough sleep. In certain instances antidepressants and nonstimulant medications are employed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step in obtaining making a proper diagnosis. However, the most effective method to determine if you have ADHD is to schedule a consultation with a mental health professional. A psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or neurologist can all be certified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnoses, your mental health professional will go over American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder that are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child if they have had symptoms present for at least six months. They will also review the family history of your child or you medical and psychiatric histories.
The person who is being evaluated could be asked for input from independent sources such as a spouse or other family members regarding their symptoms. This will help the mental health professional build an accurate picture of the person's behaviour and experience with ADHD. The clinician will also use standardized ADHD behavior rating scales and ask the person to talk about their experiences in the past with school, work, relationships and hobbies.
It is essential that the mental health professional is aware that other disorders may resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should exclude other conditions like thyroid issues and seizures before determining if someone has ADHD.
In certain instances, mental health professionals may suggest a physical exam. This is particularly important for adults because certain medical conditions can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Once the mental health specialist has established an assessment and explained the reason, they will then explain why it's most likely caused by neurological issues such as hypothalamus hyperactive or inactive or genetic predisposition, as well as environmental factors like poor diet, substance abuse and stress.
The mental health professional will then discuss treatment options. For many the best combination of treatments allows them to manage their ADHD symptoms and live their lives to the maximum. Others are able to find accommodations at school and at work for example, being able to take tests in a private space or to take a longer break between classes, that makes their lives easier.
Treatment
Finding out the diagnosis is the first step towards getting control of ADHD symptoms that can cause serious problems at work, school, or at home. Medication and therapy are essential to the treatment. Therapy can help an individual develop better time management and devise strategies for improving their organization, including daily planners or list. A therapist can also teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child is suffering from coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety, counseling may help with those too.
The health care professional conducting the evaluation will ask a series questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological test. These tests are used to compare the performance of a person with those of typical people with similar age. These tests can reveal if a person is suffering from a learning disorder or any other disorders that may coexist or look similar to ADHD. The specialist could give the patient a questionnaire, and also interview other adults such as teachers or babysitters to get a better 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 old school records to find out whether the patient had issues in their childhood. Adults can have trouble remembering their childhood struggles. However, under current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be identified if symptoms did not occur frequently more than once prior to the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, a physician might check to determine whether there are any medical conditions that could be causing the ADHD symptoms or causing them to worsen. Some of these ailments include seizures or thyroid issues that may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Read A great deal more could include a hearing or vision test. The specialist may also talk to the person’s parents or other relatives, and discuss their problems at school or work.
Medication
Stimulants - like amphetamine or methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD. They boost the levels of neurotransmitters that control attention and movements. Studies have proven that stimulants lower the risk of relapse to drugs and other problems for children with ADHD when they are taken according to the directions. It is crucial to be aware that stimulants can have side effects. These include a decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as heart or lung problems.
Doctors also may prescribe non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or Guanfacine. They work slower than stimulants and are safer in some people who have certain health issues or are unable to take stimulants because of unpleasant adverse effects, like anxiety or ringing in the ears or changes in vision or heart and lung function. They may also aid in treating disorders of the tic, like Tourette Syndrome. Certain antidepressants like SSRIs and bupropion are also used to treat ADHD. These drugs are not FDA approved for this purpose, and could be incompatible with stimulants.
Other kinds of medications -for instance, some used to treat high blood pressure- also have been shown to improve symptoms of ADHD. They haven't been examined as in depth as stimulants.
Adults usually respond best to a combination of medicines as well as behavior therapy and skills training. Many adults who receive this combination of treatments say that they feel more in control and able to manage their symptoms.
Ask your physician or mental health professional to recommend an expert if you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of ADHD. You can also call the hospital of a university or medical or graduate school for recommendations, or consult your insurance company's list of specialists by specialty.
If This Webpage are an adult, you can take a self-assessment test to see if you might have ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is a simple checklist that can be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms.