What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD your doctor will want to talk to you. They may ask questions about family and health background. They may also inquire about the education of your child. He or she will speak to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts, and religious leaders, and other people who are familiar with them.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know thinks they may have ADHD, the first step to get an evaluation is to find an expert in health care who is experienced in diagnosing the condition. Find a specialist in the field of mental health for children, or ask your family doctor for an appointment. The person who examines you will begin by asking about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also ask questions regarding your health or work schedule, as well as school and social life. The examiner may ask to see your old reports and performance evaluations at school or at work, as well as other records.
A thorough assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with the person's family members, teachers and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will utilize a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD as well as standardized testing used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples on how you behave in various situations. They will compare your behavior to 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 their symptoms are significantly more severe than expected for their age or development. They will compare the person's issues with similar issues of other people in similar situations, for example their classmates at school or on a sports 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 also have led to significant impairments in at least two areas of their lives. For children, this can typically result in problems with their schoolwork as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. For adults, it could be a loss of a job as a result of difficulty paying attention and difficulty keeping the track of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to people who are familiar with the person, such as friends and family members or scout or religious leaders. They will want to hear about how the person acts in various settings and also how they behave at home and in other places outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must be able to show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before the age of 12. You must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms must also interfere with your ability to perform at school, at home, or at work. The symptoms can not be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor may refer you to an expert to have an assessment. You can download a support letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from NICE 87 guideline that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will discuss with you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also inquire about your family history and social background as well as your educational and work history. They might request your old school records and interview teachers or other people who were with you as a child. The evaluator may try to rule out any other possible explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough assessment can take several hours. Adults may have to make more than one appointment with their doctor to complete the process. The evaluation will discuss the results with you, and may suggest treatment options that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The ADHD that is inattentive is characterised by difficulties paying attention and staying focused, as well as forgetfulness or a lack of organizational skills. 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.
A few adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can result in strained or dissolved marriages, financial difficulties and problems with parenting. During the evaluation, a clinician may speak with the ADHD person and their partner or spouse to learn how their problems impact the relationship. They may ask both of you complete checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually includes an interview with both the person being evaluated as well as the caregivers for them and the submission of rating scales and questionnaires which compare the behaviors of those with ADHD with the behavior of those who do not have it and tests that are standardized. In the case of children, the examiner may also look at their reports and ask for teachers to fill out questionnaires.
People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to talk about how their symptoms affect their work at home, social, and personal life. They should expect to be asked questions about how often they interrupt others or lose things, and how often they are unable to keep up on tasks. The evaluator will want to know whether these symptoms are present for all time, or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person has to be experiencing significant difficulties in at least two of the following areas: work and family life, school, or social relationships. Examples of this disorder include being fired from a job, not passing an exam or not making payments on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some problems, but not major disruptions.
There are a myriad of things that could trigger similar symptoms as those associated with ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the person's mood, their medical background and other factors to rule out the possibility of these conditions.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It helps people learn how to better manage their symptoms and develop better techniques for coping. It may include cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches people how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also help reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues such as addiction or depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them comprehend the perspective of their partner and improve communication. It can also help the person they love to learn to help them and manage the challenges of living with someone who suffers from ADHD.
Medication
Medicines can aid in the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD. They are often prescribed along with therapy and training which can ease symptoms and help people function better at school, at home at work, at home or in their activities. But, it isn't a cure and people must still work with their doctor to understand how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the best dosage and combination of medications. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are a variety of options.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular attention to behaviors that occur in a variety of situations, including at school and at home. They will also ask about the person's family history as well as their academic and occupational background. They will usually request performance evaluations from work or old report cards and will want to speak to the person's teachers.
It is important to keep in mind that in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, the person's symptoms must have been present since the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). While an expert will talk about the current symptoms in an assessment for diagnosis, they might require a conversation with others who knew the individual as a child, and even interview their parents or teachers.
ADHD medication usually contains stimulants that are believed to regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals called Neurotransmitters. cheap adhd assessment uk are available in different forms, including tablets, liquids and patches. They can trigger side effects such as trouble sleeping or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, however they are generally considered safe when they are prescribed by a doctor. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have less adverse effects, but they are not recommended for all people.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medications treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. It is not uncommon for children and adults to try multiple medications and change them as their needs change or they experience significant life changes.