ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is important to remember that a complete evaluation of ADHD is essential prior to starting any treatment. This includes an interview with the clinician and information from other sources such as spouse or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales, as well as standardized testing.
Experts might suggest talking to your child's teachers, religious leaders as well as scouts, coaches or scouts. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood in order to be diagnosed as an adult.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD
The signs of ADHD are different based on age, but children suffering from the condition often have trouble staying focused on their work or paying attention to others. They may fidget and mutter out answers to questions, or interrupt others. They may also have trouble with organization, be easily bored and have a difficult time waiting for their turn. Impulsive behavior can be defined as jumping into activities or running around in circles without permission. They might also be inclined towards using explosive emotions or anger to motivate their own egos, for example by making others mad or pulling pranks.
In an assessment, a doctor might use clinical interviews or questionnaires to determine whether the child is suffering from ADHD. Teachers may also be asked to complete ratings scales. They may also perform physical or neurodevelopmental tests to determine if there are any medical conditions that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid disorders and mood disorders.
The evaluater will also want to know if your child has any other mental health issues such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder or anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your family history, for instance, whether anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty managing their daily life, including the demands of work and home. They may also have trouble getting along with their coworkers or family members. These symptoms can cause them to be late for appointments or to not show up at social engagements. The difficulties they face in school could cause academic failure and poor 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 interview both the patient and someone who knows them well. This could be a spouse, parent, teacher, coach, nanny, or a coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them determine which tests, if any are necessary, can determine the cause of other conditions that can cause ADHD symptoms. They might also use an assessment tool designed to detect the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD involves a series of appointments with doctors or therapists. The diagnosis is made based on symptoms and how they affect the individual's daily activities. Getting a correct diagnosis is essential for gaining control over the symptoms which can affect work and family life. A doctor who is an expert in ADHD, like a psychiatrist or a psychologist will be able to diagnose the condition.
The doctor will talk about the patient's medical background and symptoms as well as the date they first started to notice. They might ask the patient to keep a record of their symptoms and their impact on their lives. This can be extremely useful in gaining an exact picture of the issue and aiding in determining what tests or evaluations are required to determine if ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
The doctor may also use questionnaires in order to assess the severity of symptoms. The doctor may use questionnaires for parents or teachers to assess children, as well as an interview with the patient to identify 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 do an examination to ensure there's no physical condition like thyroid issues or seizures, that could be the root of the issue. Other tests may be done to check for other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Occasionally, the doctor will conduct brain scans to determine the cause of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful when other tests for diagnosis have not worked.
For adults who suspect that they or their child has ADHD the best place to start is by talking with the primary care physician. If the person does not have a primary physician or a primary care physician, they can ask their insurance provider for a list that includes health professionals who are certified to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or a different mental illness. A thorough assessment could include an interview with the child and a parent and rating scales to compare behavior to those of people who do not have ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD which include thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. It is possible to perform an exam for physical symptoms to rule out these ailments. A psychological examination will be needed to determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health condition such as anxiety.
Symptoms of ADHD can result in significant difficulties in work, school and in relationships. The person who is being evaluated must discuss the issues they are having candidly and honestly with the examiner and not hide behind from fear of embarrassment or shame of being judged. They should be able to describe the symptoms in as much detail as possible including how they affect them at home and at school. Parents should be involved in evaluations but not in the decision-making process.
The kind of medication prescribed depends on the underlying condition, symptoms and age of the child. For instance stimulants are often prescribed in teens and children to treat ADHD because they help by stimulating areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. These medications are available as immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets that release the drug slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, which is the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD is available in tablet form.
Other kinds of treatment for ADHD may involve counseling for marital and family relationships or cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches specific skills to change negative behavior into positive ones. These treatments can be beneficial to adults with ADHD as well as occupational and educational accommodations.
diva adhd assessment is the follow-up. There should be frequent meetings to evaluate the progress made and determine next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to participate in the process, such as Scout or religious leaders. They can provide valuable information on how the child behaves in various settings and give a fuller picture of how the child is performing.
Medication
There are many different medications that are used to treat ADHD. Most often, stimulants are used to increase the activity of certain brain regions that control the behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant for adults, teens and children who are older than five years old, is the most popular. It is available in tablet form and is usually taken two to three times per day. It is available in immediate release (short-acting) or extended-release (taken once a day in the morning, and released throughout the day).
Many people report that their symptoms and impairments significantly improve after a period of medication. These effects can be observed in social, educational and home settings. The impact of these variables on performance is evaluated using one or more standardized ratings scales, which compare the behavior of an individual to other people. 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 such as behavioral therapy and training of parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in managing their behavior prior to using medications on their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy and interventions in the classroom be part of the treatment plan of teenagers and adolescents with ADHD.
The most frequent adverse effects of ADHD medication include stomach upset, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and sleep disturbances. Some kids and teens who take stimulants may develop tics which are repeated movements or sounds such as eye blinking, or clearing the throat. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for certain adolescents and children, however it's usually minimal and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant medications have the potential to lead to addiction and abuse, but research has proven that this is not the case with the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the likelihood of substance abuse in a few teens and kids, but this is not due to the medication.
A potential adverse result of ADHD medication is the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research found that people who use stimulant drugs to treat ADHD have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease than those who do not. Researchers examined data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 with ADHD. They compared them to 51 672 control participants without ADHD. They followed them for 14 years.