What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will want to talk to you about whether your child or you has symptoms of ADHD. The doctor may inquire about your family health history and your family history. They may also inquire about your child's school experience. They will also talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scout and religious leaders, and other people that know them well.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they have ADHD the first step in obtaining an assessment is to locate a health care professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD. Find a doctor who is specialized in the field of mental health for children, or ask your family physician for an appointment. The person doing the evaluation will start by talking with you about your issues and how they impact your life. They may also ask questions about your health, work, school and social life. The examiner will want look over any records you may have, such as performance evaluations from work or school and old report cards.
A complete assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person as well as teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will employ various questions and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD, including standardized testing used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to give examples of how you behave in various situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The examiner will determine whether the ADHD affects the person's daily functioning. They will consider whether the symptoms are more severe than is normal for their age or development. They will compare the person's issues to those of other people in similar situations, for example their peers at school or on a sports team.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the person must have a significant number of symptoms from both the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity sections of the criteria. In addition, the symptoms must have led to significant impairment in at least two major situations in their lives. This usually means that children have problems with their schoolwork, and their relationships with their parents or siblings. For adults, it may result in losing a job because of difficulty paying attention and trouble keeping the track of bills or paperwork.
The evaluator may also speak to people who are familiar with the individual, such as family members and friends, or scout leaders from religious or scout groups. They will be looking to find out what the person's behavior is in various situations, such as at home, as well as other places outside of work or school.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD it is necessary to have at least 6 traits (symptoms) that began before age 12. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms must also affect your ability to function at school, at home, or at work. The symptoms can not be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can refer to a specialist to conduct an assessment. You can download a help letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print the quotes from NICE 87 guideline that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your specialist will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will also inquire about your family, social and educational history. They might also ask for your school records from the past, and they might want to interview teachers or other people who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator will rule out other possible explanations for your symptoms and may suggest that you undergo neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough evaluation may take several hours. Some adults may need to attend more than one visit to their specialist in order to complete the evaluation. The evaluation will discuss the results with you, and could suggest treatments that could be beneficial.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The symptoms of the inattentive type include trouble staying focused and paying attention and forgetfulness as well as poor organizational skills. People with the hyperactive/impulsive type are restless and fidgety, often interrupt conversations or activities, have a hard time waiting for their turn, and may use other people's things without permission.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are unable to comprehend how their condition affects their lives and relationships. This can result in financial issues as well as broken or stressed marriages, and issues with parenting. During the assessment the clinician will talk with the ADHD person and their partner or spouse to determine how their issues affect the relationship. They might ask both of you fill out checklists that list your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically involves an interview with the person being assessed and their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires or rating scales which compare behavior of people suffering from ADHD to those of people who do not have it, and standardized tests. For children, the examiner may also examine their school reports and ask teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Anyone suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their ADHD symptoms affect their work, social and personal life. They should be prepared to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others or lose things and how often they are unable to keep up on their tasks. The evaluator wants to determine if these signs were always present or if they began in the early years of childhood (technically, before the age of 12).
A person must have significant difficulties in two or more of the following areas to be classified with ADHD including school and work family relationships, life or social interactions. This condition can be demonstrated by being fired from a job, completing the course, or not paying your bills in time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms may still experience problems in a few areas, but do not suffer from major disruptions.
There are a myriad of things that could trigger similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD such as physical ailments and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the person's mood, their medical history and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. It assists people in developing more effective coping skills and understand how to manage their symptoms. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches people how to transform negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying condition or mental health issues like depression and alcohol abuse.
Couples therapy or marital therapy can be beneficial for people who suffer from ADHD. It can help them appreciate the perspective of their partner and improve communication. It can also help their partner learn to help them and deal with the challenges of living with someone who has ADHD.
Medication
Medicines can aid in the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of ADHD. They are often prescribed in conjunction with therapy and skill-training that can help reduce symptoms and allow people to function better at school, work at home, or in their activities. However, medications are not a cure and people must remain in contact with their doctor to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take several attempts to find the ideal dosage of medication and dosage. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are a variety of choices.
An experienced specialist will interview the parent, child, or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular attention to behaviors that occur in various environments, such as at school and at home. how much is an adhd assessment uk will also look at the person's educational and occupational background and ask questions about their family life. They typically request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards and will be looking to speak with the person's teachers.
Remember that for a person to be considered to have ADHD their symptoms must have been evident since the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). Therefore, even though an expert will only discuss current symptoms when conducting an assessment of diagnosis however, they may have to talk with other people who knew the child and might even talk to the person's parents or teachers.
ADHD medication typically contains stimulants that appear to balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as Neurotransmitters. They are available in a variety of forms like liquids, tablets, and patches. Stimulants can cause side effects like trouble sleeping, agitation, and a loss of appetite, but generally, they are safe when they are prescribed by a physician. Nonstimulants, which include atomoxetine and other antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. They tend to be slower-working and have less side negative effects, but they aren't recommended for all people.
The most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. Children and adults may try several medications and change them as their needs or circumstances change.