ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before starting any treatment, it is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment of ADHD. This includes a physician interview, additional information from sources, such as the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, and tests that are standardized.
Experts may suggest speaking to your child's religious leaders, teachers, scouts or coaches. This is because ADHD symptoms must be 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 fidget or mutter answers to questions, or interrupt others. They might also have issues with organization, get easily bored and have a tough waiting to be the next. Impulsive behavior can be described as jumping into activities or running around without permission. They also may be at risk of using extreme anger or excitement as a source of stimulation and may even make others angry or playing pranks on them.
In an assessment, a doctor may utilize questionnaires or interviews to determine whether the child has ADHD. They can also request that the child's teachers complete rating scales. They can also conduct physical or neurodevelopmental tests to find any medical issues that could cause symptoms of ADHD. This includes thyroid conditions and mood disorders.
The evaluator will also want to know if your child has any other mental health conditions such as oppositional defiant disorders, anxiety disorders or conduct disorder. They will also ask you about your family history. For example, if any other members of your family have ADHD or other psychiatric issues.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time managing their lives, including work and home responsibilities. They may also have trouble getting along with their coworkers or family members. Their symptoms can also cause them to be late for appointments or fail to attend social gatherings. The academic challenges they face can lead to a failure in 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 examine the patient along with someone who is familiar with them -- a spouse or parent for adults, or a teacher, coach, nanny or coach for children. The information collected will help the doctor determine which tests might exclude other conditions that cause symptoms of ADHD. They can also use a checklist to identify these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of appointments with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is dependent on the presence of symptoms and their impact on a person's life. Getting a correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms which can affect life at work and with family. The diagnosis is made by a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD and related disorders, such as psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will talk about the patient's medical history and symptoms as well as the date they first appeared. They may request the patient to keep a record of their symptoms and their impact on their lives. This is very helpful in getting an exact picture of the issue and assisting in determining what tests or evaluations are required to determine whether ADHD is the cause of the symptoms.
The doctor may also utilize questionnaires in order to assess symptoms. The doctor could utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to assess children, as well as an interview with the patient to assess the symptoms. 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 conduct an exam to ensure that there's no physical condition such as thyroid issues or seizure, which could be causing the problem. Other tests can be conducted to screen for other conditions like depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, the doctor may order brain scans to help rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't typically used to diagnose ADHD however, could be a useful test when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been cleared.
If adhd assessment for women or your child suspects that they might have ADHD and you suspect that they do, it is recommended to consult a primary doctor. If the patient does not have a primary doctor or a primary care physician, they can ask their insurance provider for an inventory of health professionals who are certified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
A doctor can determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental condition. A thorough evaluation can include an interview with a parent and child and rating scales that assess the child's behavior with that of those without ADHD.
Many medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD, including thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. It is possible to conduct a physical exam in order to rule out the presence of these illnesses. A psychological exam may be necessary to determine if the symptoms are related to ADHD or some other mental health condition such as anxiety.
Symptoms of ADHD can lead to significant difficulties in school, work and relationships. The person being assessed should be honest and candid with the examiner about any issues they're facing. They shouldn't hide their feelings because of fear of being judged or shame. They should describe symptoms as accurately as is possible, including the way 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 prescribe medication for their child.
The type of medication prescribed will depend on the underlying condition, symptoms and age of the child. For instance stimulants are often prescribed in children and teens to treat ADHD due to their effectiveness in increasing activity in areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. They are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the drug slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other forms of treatment for ADHD might include counseling for marital and family relationships or cognitive behavior therapy, which provides specific techniques to change negative behaviors into positive ones. Some adults who have ADHD might benefit from these treatments as well as educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important part of treatment is following-up, with frequent meetings to evaluate progress and decide on next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, like Scout and religious leaders in the process. They can provide valuable information about how the child behaves in various settings and give a fuller picture of the child's behavior.
Medication
ADHD is treated with various medications. The most commonly used are stimulants, which function by increasing activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate, the most commonly used stimulant in adults, teens and children older than five years old is the most well-known. It is available in tablet form, usually 2 to 3 times per day. It is available in immediate release (short acting) or extended-release forms (taken once a day and released throughout the entire day).
Many people have reported that their symptoms and impairment significantly improve after a period of medication. These effects can be seen in social, educational and home settings. The impact on performance in these settings is measured by using one or more standard rating scales that compare the behaviors of the individual with those of other people. The scores on these rating forms are not considered diagnostic by themselves however they serve as important sources of information in the evaluation process.
In addition to medication in addition to medication, there are other non-medicated solutions for ADHD that include therapy for behavior and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents undergo training in behavior management before trying medication for their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy as well as classroom-based interventions should be included in the treatment plan of adolescents and teens with ADHD.
The most frequent side effects of ADHD medication include stomach upset, changes in heart rate and blood pressure and sleep disturbances. Teens and children who take stimulants may develop tics, which are repetitive movements or sounds such as eye blinking, or throat clearing. ADHD medication can cause a slight slowdown in growth for certain adolescents and children, however it's usually not significant and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
Stimulant medication has the potential to lead to dependence and abuse, but research has proven that this is not the case at the dosages prescribed for ADHD. Some kids and teens with ADHD are more at risk for addiction issues however, this is due to the disorder not the medication.
A potential side result of ADHD medication is the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research has found that those who take stimulant medications to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who do not. Researchers analyzed data of 278 027 people, which included 10 388 people with ADHD. They compared these individuals to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. These participants were tracked for 14 years.