ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before starting any treatment, it is important to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This includes a physician interview, other sources, like spouse or family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, as well tests that are standardized.
Experts may also see your child's school records and speak to teachers, religious or scout leaders or coaches. ADHD symptoms must be present from childhood to be recognized at an adult age.
Symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD are different based on age, however children who suffer from the condition often have trouble staying focused on their work or paying attention to other people. They might fumble and mutter out answers to questions or interrupt other people. They may also have trouble with organization, get easily bored and have a tough waiting to be the next. Impulsive behavior is often described as getting involved in activities or running around in circles without permission. They also may be at risk of using exuberant emotions or anger as a way to get their attention and may even make others angry or playing pranks with them.
In an evaluation, a physician may use clinical interviews or questionnaires to determine whether the child is suffering from ADHD. They may also ask the child's teachers to complete rating scales. They may also perform a neurodevelopmental or physical exam to determine if there are any medical conditions that may trigger symptoms of ADHD. This includes thyroid conditions and mood disorders.
The evaluater will also want to be aware of if your child has any other mental health conditions like oppositional defiant disorders, anxiety disorders or conduct disorder. They will also ask about your family history, for instance, whether anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric conditions.
Adults with ADHD frequently have trouble managing their daily life, including the demands of work and home. They may also have issues working with family members or colleagues. The symptoms of these people can result in them being late for appointments or fail to attend social gatherings. The difficulties they face in school could lead to an academic failure as well as 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 interview both the patient and a person who knows them well. This could be a parent, spouse or teacher, coach, nanny, or a coach for children. The information will help the doctor decide which tests, if required, will identify other conditions that cause ADHD symptoms. They may also employ a checklist to determine the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves a series of appointments with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is made based on symptoms and how they impact the person's daily life. It is important to get the right diagnosis in order to manage symptoms that could interfere with family and work life. A medical professional who is an expert in ADHD such as psychologists or psychiatrists can diagnose the condition.
The doctor will discuss the patient's medical history and symptoms as well as the date they first started to notice. They may request that the patient keep a journal of their symptoms and their impact on their lives. This is very useful in gaining an accurate picture of the problem and assisting in determining what tests or assessments are needed to determine whether ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
get an adhd assessment will also use questionnaires in order to assess the severity of symptoms. This could include questionnaires for parents and teachers 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.
Some doctors will also conduct an exam to ensure that there isn't any physical issue such as thyroid issues or seizures, that could be the reason for the issue. Other tests can be conducted to check for other conditions like anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, a doctor may order brain scans in order to rule out possible causes of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD but they can be helpful when other tests for diagnosing the condition have not worked.
For adults who suspect they or their child has ADHD the best place to start is to talk to a primary care physician. If the person does not have a primary care doctor, they should inquire with their insurance company to request the list of health specialists in their area who are qualified to perform an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treatment is an evaluation by a doctor who can determine whether the symptoms are related to ADHD or another mental health condition. A thorough assessment could include an interview with a child and parent, as well as rating scales that compare the child's behavior with those of people who do not have ADHD.
Many medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD, including thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. A physical exam may also be required to determine these causes. A psychological exam will be required to determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different mental health condition such as anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a significant impact on school, work and relationships. The person being evaluated should discuss the problems they are having in a candid and honest manner with the examiner and not hide behind out of shame or fear of criticism. They should describe their symptoms as in detail as they can and include how they impact their lives at home and at school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation process, but they shouldn't make the decision to medicate their child.
The dosage of the medication will depend on the child's age as well as the condition creating the symptoms, and the kind of medication being prescribed. For example, stimulants are often prescribed to children and teens with ADHD. They help by stimulating brain activity in areas that regulate attention and behaviour. These medications are available as tablets with immediate release and modified-release that release the drug slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, is available in tablet form.
Other treatments for ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment, which teaches specific techniques to transform negative behaviors to positive ones. These therapies may be beneficial to adults with ADHD as well as educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important thing is the follow-up. There should be regular meetings to review progress and decide next steps. Parents should be encouraged to include teachers and other professionals, including religious and scout leaders, in the process. These professionals can provide valuable information about how the child behaves and function in different situations.
Medication
There are many different drugs used to treat ADHD. Most often, stimulants are used to increase brain activity in certain brain regions that regulate attention and behaviour. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children who are over 5 years old. It is available in tablet form, usually 2-3 times a day. It is available in immediate-release (short-acting) or extended-release (taken at least once per day in the morning, and released throughout the day).
Many people report that they feel better after taking medication. These effects are typically observed in the home, school, and social environments. The impact of these variables on performance is assessed by using one or more standardized ratings scales that compare the performance of a person to others. These ratings are not diagnostic in themselves, but provide valuable objective information for the evaluation process.
There are non-medical treatment options for ADHD such as the use of behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents receive training in managing their behavior prior to trying medication on their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy and classroom-based interventions be included in the treatment plans for teenagers and adolescents with ADHD.
The most frequent adverse effects of ADHD medication are stomach upset as well as changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and sleep disturbances. Certain children and teens who are taking stimulants could develop tics. They are repetitive movements or noises like eye-blinking or throat clearing. Some teens and children who take ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their growth, but this is typically minor and does not impact their final height.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential for addiction and abuse, however research suggests that this is not a significant risk with the doses prescribed to treat ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to substances in a few teens and kids, but this is not due to the medication.
Another potential negative effect of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research has found that those who take stimulant medications to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who don't. Researchers examined data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 who had ADHD. They compared these individuals to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. They followed them for 14 years.