ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is essential to keep in mind that a thorough assessment of ADHD is required prior to beginning any treatment. This should include a clinician interview, other sources, like the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, as well standard tests.
Experts may also look over your child's school records and talk with teachers as well as religious leaders, scout coaches or leaders. ADHD symptoms must be present from childhood to be diagnosed at an adult age.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD
The signs of ADHD are different based on age, however children who suffer from ADHD are often having trouble staying focused on their tasks or paying attention to other people. They might fidget, blurt out answers to questions, or interrupt others. They might also struggle with organizational skills, become bored easily and have trouble waiting their turn. Symptoms of impulsive behavior can include jumping into activities without permission, running around or climbing up places they aren't allowed to go. They also may be prone to using extreme excitement or anger to stimulate themselves for others, such as making them mad or playing pranks on them.
A doctor might employ questionnaires or interviews to determine if a child has ADHD. They can also ask teachers to fill out rating scales. They may also perform a neurodevelopmental or physical exam to identify any medical conditions that may trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid disorders and mood disorders.
The evaluator may also ask if your child suffers from any other mental disorder like conduct disorder as well as oppositional defiant syndrome and anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your family history. For instance whether any other members of your family are suffering from ADHD or any other psychiatric disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, which includes the demands of home and work. They may also have issues being a good coworker or family members. They may also be late to appointments or fail to show up for social occasions due to their ailments. Their struggles at school can lead to an academic failure as well as poor job 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 interview both the patient and an individual who is familiar with them. This could be a spouse, parent or teacher, coach, nanny, or coach for children. The information gathered will help the doctor determine which, if any, tests might determine if other conditions cause symptoms of ADHD. They might also use an assessment tool designed to detect these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves a series sessions with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is determined by the presence of symptoms and their impact on the person's life. It is important to get the right diagnosis in order to control the symptoms that may interfere with family and work life. A doctor who is an expert in ADHD such as a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose the condition.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical history and symptoms, including a discussion of when they first began to show. The doctor might ask the patient for a journal of their symptoms and how they impact their lives. This can be very helpful to have a clearer picture of the problem, and to decide on the tests or assessments will be required to determine if ADHD is the root cause.
In addition to observing how a person functions in various situations, the doctor may utilize questionnaires to evaluate the symptoms. This could include parent and teacher questionnaires to determine if children are suffering from the disorder, as well as an interview with a patient to determine 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.
Some doctors will also do an examination to ensure there's no physical condition, such as thyroid problems or seizures, that could be the root of the problem. Other tests are also available to determine if there are other issues such as anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor might require brain scans to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms. These tests, which aren't commonly used to diagnose ADHD but are a helpful instrument when other diagnostic procedures have been cleared.
For adults who suspect they or their child has ADHD the best place to begin is to talk to an primary care physician. If the patient does not have a primary doctor, they can contact their insurance company for an inventory of health professionals who are trained to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
The first step in treatment is an evaluation by a doctor who will determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or other mental health issues. A thorough evaluation can include an interview with a child and parent and rating scales that evaluate the child's behavior to people who do not have ADHD.
There are many medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. These include thyroid issues, head injuries, and seizures. It might be necessary to undergo a physical exam in order to rule out any of these ailments. A psychological exam may be required to determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or some other mental health issue, such as anxiety.
The symptoms of ADHD can cause significant impairment in school, work and in relationships. The person who is being evaluated should be able to discuss the issues they are having openly and honestly with the examiner and not hold back out of shame or fear of being judged. They should report symptoms as accurately as they can and include the ways they affect them both at home and in school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation process, but they shouldn't make the decision to medicate their child.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the underlying condition, symptoms and age of the child. For example, stimulants are commonly prescribed to adolescents and children with ADHD. They stimulate brain activity in areas that regulate the behavior and attention. These medications are available in tablets with immediate release and modified-release that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other kinds of treatment for ADHD could include counseling for the family or marital relationship, or cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches specific skills to change negative behaviors to positive ones. Some adults who have ADHD might benefit from these therapies as well as occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important aspect of treatment is the follow-up phase, with frequent meetings to evaluate progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to take part in the process, for example Scout leaders or religious leaders. These people can provide valuable information about how the child behaves in different environments and provide a more complete picture of the child's behavior.
Medication
ADHD is treated with various medications. The most common are stimulants, which work by increasing the activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant in adults, teens and children who are older than five years old is the most popular. It is available in tablet format and is usually taken between 2 and 3 times a day. It is available in immediate release (short acting) or extended-release versions (taken one time a day but released throughout the day).
Many people say they feel better after taking a medication. These effects are typically seen in the home, school, and social settings. The effect on performance in these settings is assessed by using one or more standard rating scales, which evaluate the behavior of the person with those of others. These ratings are not diagnostic in themselves but they can provide valuable, objective information for the evaluation process.
There are many non-medical treatments for ADHD such as the use of behavioral therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents receive training in behavior management prior to attempting medication for their children. The guidelines also recommend psychotherapy and a classroom-based intervention to be a part of the treatment plan for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
how to get a adhd assessment , ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some kids and teens who take stimulants may develop tics, which are repetitive actions or sounds, like eye blinking or throat clearing. Certain children and teens who take ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their growth, but this is typically minor and doesn't alter their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant medications have the potential to trigger addiction and abuse, however studies have shown that this is not a problem when it comes to dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to substances in some kids and teens however this isn't due to the medication.
Another potential adverse result of ADHD medication is the risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research found that people who take stimulant medication to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who don't. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 individuals comprising 10 388 people with ADHD. They compared them with 51 672 participants who did not have ADHD. They followed them for 14 years.