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 an interview with a clinician and information from other sources such as spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales, as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may suggest speaking to your child's religious leaders, teachers, scouts or coaches. This is because ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood in order to be diagnosed as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
ADHD symptoms differ based on age, however many children with this condition struggle to focus or pay attention. They may fumble or mutter out answers when asked questions or interrupt others. They might also struggle with organization skills, get easily bored and find it difficult to wait their turn. Impulsive behavior can be described as engaging in activities or rushing around without permission. They could also be inclined towards using exuberant excitement or anger to excite their own egos, for example through causing others to be angry or pulling off pranks.
In an assessment, a doctor might use clinical interviews or questionnaires to determine if a child has ADHD. They may also ask teachers to complete ratings scales. They can also conduct physical or neurodevelopmental tests to determine if there are any medical conditions that could cause symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid disorders and mood disorders.
The evaluator will also want to know if your child has any other mental health conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder or anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history, for instance, whether any other family members have ADHD or any other psychiatric issues.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, which includes the demands of home and work. They may also have issues getting along with family members or coworkers. They may also be late to appointments or fail to show up for social engagements because of their health issues. The academic challenges they face can result in failure at school and 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 the patient as well as someone who knows them very well. This could include a spouse, parent or teacher or coach, nanny or coach for children. The information collected will help the doctor determine which tests can exclude other conditions that cause symptoms of ADHD. They might also use a checklist to determine these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of sessions with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is dependent on the presence of symptoms and their impact on the individual's life. A correct diagnosis is essential for gaining control over the symptoms, that can hinder work and family life. A healthcare provider who is an expert in ADHD such as psychologists or psychiatrists can diagnose the condition.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical history and symptoms as well as the date they first started to notice. The doctor may ask the patient for a diary detailing the symptoms they experience and how they impact their lives. This can be extremely helpful to gain a clear understanding of the problem, and to decide on the tests or evaluations will be needed to determine if ADHD is the reason.
In addition to observing how a person performs in different situations, the doctor may use questionnaires to assess the symptoms. adhd assessment uk may include questionnaires to parents and teachers to evaluate children for the disorder, as well as a patient interview to identify 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.
Certain doctors may also conduct an examination to make sure that there isn't any physical condition, like thyroid problems or seizures, which could be the cause of the problem. Other tests are also available to screen other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, the doctor will request brain scans to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful when other tests for diagnosing the condition have failed.
For adults who suspect that they or their child is suffering from ADHD the best place to begin is to talk to the primary health care provider. If the person doesn't have a primary doctor, they should inquire with their insurance provider for an inventory of health professionals in their area who are able to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental disorder. An extensive evaluation could include a conversation with the child and a parent and rating scales that compare the behavior of those with and without ADHD.
There are many medical conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. These include thyroid issues or head injuries, as well as seizures. A physical exam may also be needed to rule out these causes. A psychological exam may be necessary to determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or some other mental health condition, such as anxiety.
Symptoms of ADHD can cause significant impairment in school, work and relationships. The person being assessed should discuss the problems they are having in a candid and honest manner with the examiner and not hold back out of shame or fear of being judged. They should be able to describe the symptoms as accurately as they can and also how they affect them at home and in school. Parents should be involved in evaluating their children, but not in the decision-making process.
The kind of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age and the condition causing the symptoms and the kind of medication being prescribed. For example, stimulants are typically used in teens and children to treat ADHD because they help by increasing activity in areas of the brain that regulate attention and behavior. These medications are available as immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the drug gradually throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other options for treating ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavior therapy which teaches specific methods to transform negative behavior to positive ones. Some adults with ADHD may benefit from these treatments, as well as from educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important part of treatment is follow-up by having regular meetings to examine progress and determine the next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, including Scout leaders and religious leaders in the process. These professionals can provide valuable information on how the child behaves in different situations and offer a complete picture of the child's functioning.
Medication
There are a variety of medications used to treat ADHD. Most often, stimulants increase the activity of certain brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most frequently used stimulant among adults, teens and children over five years old, is the most popular. It is taken in tablet form, typically 2-3 times a day. It is available in immediate release (short acting) or extended-release versions (taken once a day and released throughout the day).
Many people report that they feel better after taking a medication. These effects can be seen in educational, social and home settings. The effect on performance in these environments is measured with one or more standardized rating scales, which compare behaviours of an individual to those of other people. These ratings are not diagnostic in themselves but they can provide valuable, information that can be used to aid in the evaluation process.
There are many non-medical treatments for ADHD, including behavior therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in managing their behavior prior to attempting medications on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be a part of the treatment program for adolescents and teenagers with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Children and teens who are taking stimulants could develop tics. They are repetitive movements or noises, such as eye-blinking or throat clearing. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for some teenagers and children, but it is usually minor and doesn't affect their height.
These medications have the potential to cause abuse and addiction, but studies show that there isn't a significant risk at the doses prescribed to treat ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to substances in some teens and children however this isn't due to the medication.
A possible adverse effect of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research has revealed that those who use stimulant drugs to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who do not. Researchers analyzed data of 278 027 people, including 10 388 who had ADHD. They compared them to 51 672 participants who did not have ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.