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What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child have symptoms of ADHD, your doctor will want to speak with you. He or she might ask questions about your family and health background. The person will also inquire about your child's education. He or she may meet with teachers or scout and religious leaders as well as coaches and other people who know your child well.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they may have ADHD the first step in getting an evaluation is to find a health care professional who has experience diagnosing it. Your family doctor should refer you to someone who is an expert in children's mental healthcare. The person who examines you will ask about your symptoms and their impact on your life. uk adhd assessment may also ask questions regarding your health as well as your work, school, and social life. The examiner may ask to see old report cards and performance evaluations at school or at work, as well as other records.
A full evaluation of ADHD will also include interviews with the person's family members as well as teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will employ a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to give examples on how you behave in different situations. They will also compare your behavior with the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The evaluator will also determine whether the person's ADHD affects their daily functioning. They will also consider whether the symptoms are more severe than what is expected for their age and developmental level. They will compare the person's issues to the experiences of others in similar situations, like their peers at school or on a 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 signs must have caused significant impairment in at least two significant situations in their lives. For children, this will usually mean problems in their school work and relationships with parents and siblings. Adults could lose their job if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of bills and paperwork.
The evaluator can also talk to people who are familiar with the person, for example, family members and friends, or scout or religious leaders. They will want to know what the person's behavior is in various situations, including at home, as well as other places beyond school or work.
Diagnosis
To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD it is necessary to have a minimum of 6 traits (symptoms) that first appeared before the age of 12. Additionally, you must be experiencing these symptoms ongoingly for at least six months. The symptoms should affect your ability to perform at school, at home, or at work. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Print out the quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines or download the letter of support from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Your specialist will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will also ask you about your family education, social and academic background. They might also request your old school records and interview teachers and other people who knew you as a child. The evaluator may try to rule out any other explanations for your symptoms and suggest that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Some adults may need to attend more than one visit with their doctor to complete the procedure. The evaluator will go over the results with you, and may suggest treatments that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the type that is inattentive include difficulty staying focused and paying attention or 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 understand how their symptoms affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial problems, strained or broken marriages, and parenting problems. During the evaluation, the clinician may talk with both the individual with ADHD and their spouse or partner to get a better understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. You might be asked to fill out checklists that describe your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD usually involves an interview with the person being evaluated as well as their family members, completing questionnaires or rating scales which compare the behavior of those with ADHD to the behavior of those who don't have it, as well as standardized testing. The evaluator may also request teachers to complete questionnaires and look at the report cards of the child.
People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their issues affect their work as well as home and social life. They should expect to be asked questions like how often they interrupt others or lose things, and how often they don't follow through on tasks. The examiner wants to know if the symptoms were present throughout their entire lives or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to the age of 12).
A person must have significant difficulties in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work life, family relationships or social interactions. Examples of this disorder are being fired from a job, failing in a class or not making payments on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can have problems in a few areas, but do not suffer from major disruptions.
Stress and physical ailments can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate the person's mood, medical history and other factors to rule out these possibilities.
Behavioral therapy is a standard treatment for ADHD. It assists people in learning more effective ways to manage their symptoms and develop better techniques for coping. It may include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches people how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the negative effects of any underlying illness or mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from couples or marital therapy. It can help them understand their partner's perspective and improve communication. It can help their partner learn how to help and cope with someone with ADHD.
Medication
Medicines can aid in the hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that are hallmarks of ADHD. These medications are usually prescribed in combination with therapy and skills-training, which can improve the symptoms and allow people to function better at school, work at home, or even in their activities. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients should consult with their doctor to determine the best method to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take several tries to determine the most effective combination of medication and dosages. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many choices.
An experienced specialist will speak with the parent, child, or adult about their experiences with ADHD and pay particular focus on the behavior that occurs in several situations, including at school and at home. They will also ask about the person's family background and their academic and occupational background. They will ask for old reports or performance evaluations and may also speak with the person's teacher.
It is important to remember that in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD the person's symptoms must have been present since the early years of childhood (technically, before age 12). Although an expert will only discuss the current symptoms during a diagnostic assessment they may need to speak to others who knew the individual as an infant, and interview their parents or teachers.
The treatment for ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in various forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. The stimulants can cause adverse effects like trouble sleeping, agitation, and a loss of appetite, however they are generally considered safe when taken as directed by a physician. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They generally have a slower effect and have less adverse effects, but not everyone should use them.
A combination of medications therapy, therapy, as well as behavior changes are most effective in treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children may test a variety of medications and then alter them as their needs or circumstances change.