ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you believe that your child might be suffering from ADHD is to set up an appointment to have a diagnostic evaluation. A clear diagnosis will help you understand and treat this condition.
During the exam, your doctor may ask you questions about how your health has developed since your early childhood. They may also use behavior rating scales and symptom checklists.
Signs and symptoms
To determine the presence of ADHD it is necessary to collect as much information as you can about the person. This could include an exam for physical examination, collecting medical and school records, or interviewing family members, teachers, coworkers or other close friends. It is crucial to rule out any other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like seizures, thyroid disorders, and a variety of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will be interested in knowing how the symptoms affected the patient's life. This could include asking questions such as whether they have trouble finishing tasks or are easily distracted, if they often lose things, have difficulty with managing their time or are always getting late for work or social occasions. The doctor could inquire if the symptoms began before the age of 12.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to recognize 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 the symptoms meet the criteria needed for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least six signs in each category for at least six month.
It is crucial to understand that a diagnosis of ADHD is not a condemnation. Many people with ADHD have mild symptoms. They can manage their symptoms using therapy, medication and healthy lifestyle choices.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD is a stimulant. It comes in many different forms, including tablets and liquids. A health professional can prescribe the right dosage and medication to the patient. They can also be in a position to provide suggestions on healthy lifestyles that can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise and making sure that a person gets enough sleep. In online adhd test for adults , nonstimulant medications such as antidepressants can be used to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is a first step to make an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. The best way to find out if you have ADHD is to arrange an evaluation with a clinician. A psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist can all provide an ADHD evaluation.
Before making a diagnosis your mental health professional will study the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care for the disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will interview you or your child regarding symptoms that have remained for at least six months. They will also look at your child's or your own family medical and psychiatric history.
You could ask your spouse or another family member to provide information about the person's symptoms. This assists the mental healthcare professional to get a full picture of the person’s behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also use the standard ADHD behavior rating scales as well as ask the patient about their past experiences in work, school and relationships, as well as their hobbies.
It is essential that the mental health professional understands that other disorders may resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they should rule out other disorders like thyroid disorders and seizure disorders before determining whether someone suffers from ADHD.
In some cases, the mental health professional might suggest a physical exam. This is crucial for adults because certain medical conditions can produce the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Once the mental health professional has determined the diagnosis and explained the reason, they will then explain why it could be caused by neurological disorders 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 discuss the options for treatment. The right combination of treatments can help many people manage their ADHD symptoms and lead an active and fulfilling life. Others are able to find solutions at school and work, such as being allowed to take tests in a private room or to have an extended break between classes. These make their lives more manageable.
Treatment
Recognizing ADHD symptoms can be the first step towards controlling the symptoms. They can create serious problems at work, school or at home. Therapy and medication are a part of the treatment. Therapy can help an individual improve their time management skills and learn methods to improve their organization, like daily planners or lists. A therapist can teach the skills of social interaction and emotional regulation. Counseling can also be helpful if a child is suffering from co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
The health care professional doing the evaluation can ask a series questions and complete the neuropsychological or psychological exam. These tests assess the performance of an individual with those with similar ages. These tests can tell whether a person suffers from a learning disorder or other disorder that could be co-existent or have a similar appearance to ADHD. The specialist may give the patient a questionnaire, and also interview other adults like babysitters or teachers to get a better picture of their behavior, challenges, 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 look over the school records of the past to find out whether the patient was troubled in their childhood. Adults often have a difficult recalling their issues from childhood, but under current guidelines for diagnosing the disorder isn't diagnosed if symptoms did not occur often in more than one setting before age 12.
Before beginning any treatment, a doctor might check to determine if there are any medical issues which could be causing ADHD symptoms or causing them to worsen. This could be thyroid issues or seizures, which can have similar symptoms to ADHD. A medical examination could include a hearing or vision test. The expert might also conduct a psychological or emotional background, interview the patient's parents or other family members, and discuss the person's concerns at school or at work.
Medication
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. They boost levels of chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters that control the flow of attention and movement. Studies have shown that stimulants can reduce the chance of addiction and other problems for kids with ADHD when they are used as directed. It is crucial to be aware that stimulants may cause adverse effects. These include a decreased appetite or trouble sleeping and breathing problems or heart disease.
Doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. These drugs are slower to work than stimulants, and are more suitable for patients with certain health issues or who are unable to use stimulants due to unpleasant adverse effects like 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. Certain antidepressants, like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion are also used to treat ADHD. These medications are not FDA approved for this purpose and may be incompatible with stimulants.
It has been demonstrated that other kinds of medication that are used to treat high blood pressure, can also help improve ADHD symptoms. However, they have not been studied as extensively as stimulants.
In adults, a combination of therapy, medication and training in skills is usually the most effective treatment. Adults who undergo this combination treatment feel more in control of their symptoms and are able to manage them.
If you think you or someone you know has symptoms of ADHD, ask your physician or mental health provider for a referral to an expert. You can also call a university-based hospital or medical school for recommendations, or consult your insurance company's list of providers by specialty.
You can also perform a self-assessment to determine if you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is an easy-to-use checklist that can help determine whether you suffer from symptoms of ADHD.