What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD your doctor is likely to want to talk with you. They may ask questions about family and health history. The person will also ask about your child's school experience. He or she may talk to teachers, religious and scout leaders as well as coaches and others who know your child.
Signs and symptoms
Find a healthcare professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD If you or someone you love suspects they may have it. Look for someone who specializes in children's mental health or ask your family physician for an appointment. The person conducting the assessment will begin by speaking to you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may also ask about your work, school and social life. The examiner will want examine any documents you have, like performance evaluations from work or school as well as your old report cards.
psych assessment for adhd 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 use a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples on how you behave in different situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
The evaluator will determine whether the ADHD hinders the individual's daily functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than expected for their age and development level. They will evaluate the symptoms of a person with other people in similar situations. For instance, their classmates at school or in 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. Additionally, the symptoms must have led to significant impairment in at least two significant environments in their life. This could mean that children are struggling with their schoolwork, and their relationships with their parents or siblings. Adults may lose their job in the event that they struggle to pay attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to other people who know the person well like relatives, friends and Scout or religious leaders. They will want to know about the way in which the person behaves in various situations, as well as how they behave at home and in other settings outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must have at least six traits (symptoms), which began before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present for at least six consecutive months. The symptoms should also interfere with your ability to function at home, school, or at work. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can recommend you to an expert for an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP, or print quotes from the NICE 87 guideline that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also inquire about your family, social and educational background. They may ask for your old school records as well as interview teachers or other people who knew you as a kid. The evaluator will rule out other possible explanations for your symptoms and may recommend that you have neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination may take a long time. Some adults may need to make more than one appointment to their specialist in order to complete the procedure. The evaluator will go over the results with you and could suggest treatments that may help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The type of ADHD that is inattentive is defined by a lack of attention and remaining focused and also by forgetfulness and/or a lack of organization 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.
Some adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to divorce or separation, financial difficulties and problems with parenting. During the assessment, the clinician may talk with both the individual with ADHD and their spouse or partner to understand how their symptoms affect the relationship. You may be asked to fill in checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically includes an interview with the person being evaluated as well as their family members, completing questionnaires or rating scales which compare behaviors of people with ADHD to those of people who do not have it, and standardized testing. The evaluator might also ask teachers to complete questionnaires and look at the report cards of the child.
Those who have symptoms of ADHD should be prepared to talk about how their symptoms affect their work as well as home and social life. They should expect to be asked questions such as how often they interrupt others or lose things and how often they are unable to keep up on tasks. The examiner will want to know if these symptoms are present for all time or if they began in childhood (technically before the age of 12).
A person must have significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be classified with ADHD: work and school life, family relationships or social interactions. This can be proven by being dismissed from a job, failing the course or not paying your bills in time. Mild ADHD symptoms can cause some issues, but not serious disruptions.
There are many factors that could trigger similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A mental health healthcare professional or health care professional will examine the person's mood, medical background and other aspects to rule these out.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most popular treatments for ADHD. It helps patients learn more effective ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective coping skills. It can include cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches people how to change negative thoughts into positive ones. It can also help reduce the negative effects of any underlying illness or mental health issues, like depression and alcohol abuse.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from marital or couples therapy. It can help them understand their partner and improve their communication. It can help their partner understand how to support and cope with someone with ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are typical of ADHD. They are often prescribed along with skill training and therapy which can ease symptoms and help people perform better at school, home at work, at home or in their activities. Medication is not a panacea and patients need to consult with their doctor to learn how best 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.
A trained specialist will talk to the parent, child, or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular focus on the behavior that occurs in several settings, such as at school and at home. They will also examine the person's educational and occupational background and ask questions about their family life. They will ask for old report cards or performance assessments and may also want to talk to the person's teacher.
It is crucial to remember that in order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, the symptoms of the patient must have been present since the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). So, although an expert will only discuss current symptoms when conducting a diagnostic assessment it is likely that they will need to speak with others who knew the person as a child and might even talk to the person's teachers or parents.
Medication to treat ADHD typically contains stimulants that appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They are available in different forms including tablets, liquids and patches. The stimulants can cause adverse effects like trouble sleeping or agitation as well as loss of appetite, but generally, they are safe when prescribed by a physician. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They are generally slower acting and have fewer adverse effects, but not everyone should take them.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medication treatment, behavior therapy, and behavioral changes. Adults and children may experiment with different medications and alter them as their needs or circumstances change.