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ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is important to conduct a thorough evaluation of ADHD. This should include an interview with a clinician as well as information from outside sources such as spouse or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales, as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may also want to look over your child's school records and talk with teachers, religious or scout coaches or leaders. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood before they can be recognized as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
The signs of ADHD are different based on age, but children with ADHD often have difficulty staying focused on their work or paying attention to people. They may fidget, blurt out answers to questions or interrupt others. They might also struggle with organization, get easily bored and have a difficult waiting to be the next. Some signs of impulsive behavior include a tendency to engage in activities without permission, running around or climbing places they shouldn't. They might also be inclined to use extreme anger or excitement to stimulate themselves for others, such as making them mad or playing pranks on them.
In an assessment, a doctor may employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine whether the child has ADHD. They can also request that the child's teachers complete rating scales. They can also conduct an examination of the brain or physical to find any medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. This includes mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator will also want to be aware of if your child has any other mental health problems, such as oppositional defiant disorders, conduct disorder or anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history, including whether anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, including the demands of home and work. They may also have issues being a good coworker or family members. They may be late for appointments or not show up for social engagements due to their ailments. Their difficulties in school can result in academic failure 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 conduct an interview with the patient as well as a person who knows them well. This could be a spouse, parent, teacher, coach, nanny, or coach for children. The information collected will help the doctor determine what tests can determine if other conditions are causing symptoms of ADHD. They may also employ 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 by analyzing the symptoms and how they affect the person's life. It is crucial to obtain the correct diagnosis to manage symptoms that could interfere with work and family. The diagnosis is done by a medical professional who is specialized in ADHD like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will discuss the patient's medical history and symptoms as well as the date they first appeared. The doctor may ask the patient to keep a journal of their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This can be very helpful in getting an accurate picture of the issue and assisting in determining what tests or assessments are needed to determine whether ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
The doctor will also use questionnaires in order to assess the severity of symptoms. This could include parent and teacher questionnaires to assess children for the disorder, and 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 ensure there isn't a physical condition that could cause thyroid problems or seizures, which could be the root of the issue. Other tests may be done to check for other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor will conduct brain scans to identify other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't routinely used to diagnose ADHD, can be a useful instrument when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been ruled out.
If you or your child suspects that they might have ADHD, it is best to speak with a primary doctor. If the person doesn't have a primary care doctor, they should inquire with their insurance provider for an inventory of health professionals in their area who are qualified to perform an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treating is an evaluation by a physician who can determine whether the symptoms are related to ADHD or another mental health issue. A thorough assessment could include a conversation with the child and a parent and rating scales that measure behavior to that of people who do not have ADHD.
Many medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD which include thyroid problems seizures, head injuries and seizures. It might be necessary to perform an exam for physical symptoms to rule out these ailments. A psychological exam will be needed to determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health condition such as anxiety.
The symptoms of ADHD can result in significant problems in work, school and relationships. The person being assessed must discuss the issues they're experiencing in a candid and honest manner with the examiner, and not hold back out of shame or fear of criticism. They should describe their symptoms in as much detail as they can and include how they impact them at home and at school. Parents should be involved in the assessment, however, they should not take the decision to administer medication to their child.
The kind of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age as well as the condition creating the symptoms, and the type of medication. For instance, stimulants are typically prescribed to children and teens with ADHD. They stimulate brain activity in areas that regulate attention and behavior. They are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the medication gradually throughout the day. Methylphenidate, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, is available in tablet form.
Other treatments for ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches specific techniques to transform negative behavior to positive ones. Certain adults with ADHD might benefit from these treatments, as well as from educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important aspect of treatment is follow-up with regular meetings to review progress and decide on next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, like Scout leaders and religious leaders in the process. These experts can provide valuable information about how the child behaves and function in different situations.
Medication
There are a variety of medications that are used to treat ADHD. Most commonly, stimulants increase brain activity in certain brain regions that regulate the behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children over age 5. It is available in tablet form, usually 2 to 3 times per day. It comes in immediate-release (short acting) or extended-release versions (taken once a day but released throughout the entire day).
Many people say they feel better after taking a medication. These effects can be observed in educational, social and home settings. The impact on performance in these environments is measured by using one or more standard rating scales that compare the behaviors of the individual with those of others. These ratings are not diagnostic in themselves however they provide useful, information that can be used to aid in the evaluation process.
There are non-medical treatment options for ADHD, including the use of behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents receive training in the area of behavior management prior to using medications on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be part of the treatment program for adolescents and teenagers with ADHD.
Most commonly, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some children and teens who are taking stimulants might develop tics. These are repeated movements or noises, such as eye-blinking or clearing the throat. ADHD medication can cause a slight slowdown in growth for some adolescents and children, however it is usually minor and doesn't affect their final height.
are adhd assessments covered by insurance have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, but studies show that there is no significant risk at the doses prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain adolescents and children with ADHD are more at risk for substance use problems however this is due to the disorder and not the medication.
Another possible adverse effect of ADHD medication is the chance for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research has revealed that those who take stimulant medications to treat ADHD have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease than those who don't. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 with ADHD. They compared these individuals to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. These participants were followed for 14 years.