ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that you or your child has ADHD the first step is to schedule an appointment to receive the diagnosis. A clear diagnosis will help you understand and treat this condition.
During the evaluation, your doctor may ask you questions about the way your health has improved from your childhood. They can also use symptom checklists and behavior rating scales.
Signs and symptoms
To determine the presence of ADHD for the first time, you must gather as much information as you can about the person. This could include a physical exam, gathering medical and school records, or speaking with family members teachers, coworkers, or other close friends. It is also crucial to rule out other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid issues as well as seizures and various types of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may also want to know about how the symptoms have affected the person's life and relationships. This might involve asking questions like whether they have difficulty finishing tasks or are easily distracted, if they often lose things, have difficulty with managing their time or are always running late for work or social events. For children, the doctor may also ask about whether the symptoms started before age 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and a few doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults and children. They employ standardized diagnostic criteria, defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if symptoms meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must show at least six or more symptoms within one of the categories for at least six months.
It is essential to keep in mind that having a diagnosis for ADHD does not mean you are deserving of punishment. Many people suffering from ADHD experience mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms using medication, therapy and a healthy lifestyle.
Stimulants are the most commonly used medication to treat ADHD. It is available in a variety of forms that include liquids and tablets. A health professional can prescribe the right medication and dosage to the patient. They can also offer suggestions on healthy lifestyles which can improve the symptoms of ADHD such as regular exercise and getting enough sleep. In some cases antidepressants and nonstimulant medications are employed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
A screening test for ADHD is the first step to an accurate diagnosis. The best method to find out if you have ADHD is to arrange an evaluation with a clinician. A psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist can all conduct an ADHD assessment.
Before determining a diagnosis, your mental health professional will review American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child about symptoms persisting for at least six months. They will also look over you or your child's medical, psychiatric and family medical history.
The person being evaluated may be asked for input from other sources, such as spouses or other family members regarding their symptoms. This assists the mental healthcare professional get a complete picture of the person’s behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also interview the person and use standardized ADHD behaviour rating scales.
It is essential that the mental health professional is aware that other disorders can resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must rule out other disorders that may be related to thyroid disorders and seizure disorders prior to determining whether someone suffers from ADHD.
In some instances, a mental health professional might suggest a physical exam. This is particularly important for adults, because some medical conditions can trigger the similar symptoms as ADHD.
After a mental health professional determines a diagnosis, he or she will explain that the condition is likely to be caused by neurological issues, such as an overactive or underactive hypothalamus. Genetic predisposition, poor nutrition and environmental factors, like stress, alcohol abuse, and poor eating habits are common causes.
The mental health professional talks about the treatment options. The best combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms and lead an active and fulfilling life. Other people are able to get accommodations at work and school like being able to take tests in a separate room or having an extended break between classes, which makes their lives easier.
Treatment
Getting a diagnosis is the first step to getting control of ADHD symptoms that can lead to serious problems at school, work or at home. Therapy and medication are a an integral part of treatment. Therapy can help a person improve their time management skills and devise strategies for improving their organization, including daily planners or lists. Therapists can also teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child has co-existing issues, like depression or anxiety, therapy can help with these too.
The health care professional conducting the test might ask a series of questions and then conduct an examination for neuropsychological or psychological. These tests compare the performance of a person with those of people who are typical of similar age. They can reveal if a person has a learning disability or any other disorder that appears like or are co-occurring with ADHD. The specialist might provide the person with questionnaires and interview other adults, such as teachers or babysitters, to get a more complete picture of the person's behavior, issues and routines.
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 doctor may also want to look over old school records to determine whether the patient had issues in their childhood. Adults have a difficult time remembering their problems from their childhood, but according to current diagnostic guidelines, the disorder can't be diagnosed if symptoms didn't occur often in more than one environment before the age of 12.
Before beginning any treatment, a doctor will determine whether there are any medical conditions that could be causing the ADHD symptoms or causing them to worsen. This could be thyroid issues or seizures, which may exhibit similar symptoms as ADHD. A medical exam could include a hearing and vision test. The specialist may also talk to the person’s parents or other relatives, and talk about the issues they face at school or at work.
Medication
Stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. free adhd test for adults uk increase the amount of neurotransmitters that control attention and movements. Studies have shown that stimulants can reduce the chance of addiction and other issues for children with ADHD, as long as they are taken as directed. It is important to know that stimulants can cause side effects. They can cause a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, as well as lung or heart problems.
Doctors also may prescribe non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and are more suitable for patients with certain health issues or who cannot take stimulants due a negative side effects such as anxiety, ringing in the ears, or changes in the heart, vision, and lung function. They may also be beneficial in treating tic disorders, like Tourette syndrome. Some antidepressants, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion, are also utilized to treat ADHD. However, these have not been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose and could interact with stimulants.
It has been shown that other medications that are used to treat high-blood pressure, can also improve ADHD symptoms. They haven't been studied as extensively as stimulants.
Adults typically respond better to a combination of medications or behavior therapy, as well as skills training. Adults who undergo this combination treatment report feeling more in control of their symptoms and are able to manage their symptoms.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional to refer you to a specialist if you suspect that you or someone else you know is suffering from symptoms of ADHD. You can also call the hospital of a university or medical school for recommendations, or look on your insurance plan's list of providers by specialty.
If you are an adult, you may also try a self-assessment questionnaire to determine if you be suffering from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is a simple test that can be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.