What is an ADHD Assessment?
If you or your child have symptoms of ADHD Your doctor will want to speak with you. They may ask about your family history and health. You may also ask about the education of your child. He or she will speak to your child's teachers, coaches, scout and religious leaders, as well as other people that are familiar with them.
Symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they may have ADHD, the first step in obtaining an assessment is to locate an expert in the field who has expertise in diagnosing ADHD. Your family doctor should refer you to someone who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person who will conduct the assessment will start by talking to you about your concerns and how they impact your life. They may also inquire about your school, work and social life. The examiner could ask you to see your old report cards or performance evaluations from school or at work, as well as other records.
Interviews with family members, teachers, and other adults will form part of a comprehensive evaluation. The examiner will employ various questions and rating scales to evaluate the person for ADHD, including standardized testing used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples on your behavior in different situations. They will evaluate your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The evaluator will check whether the ADHD hinders the individual's daily activities. They will also determine if the symptoms are more severe than expected for their age and development level. They will evaluate the symptoms of a particular person to those of other people in similar situations. For instance, they will compare their classmates 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. The symptoms must have caused significant impairments in at least two different areas of their lives. This will typically mean that children struggle with their schoolwork and their relationships with parents or siblings. Adults could lose their jobs when they are unable to pay attention or keeping track of expenses and paperwork.
The evaluator may also talk to people who are familiar with the person, such as relatives and friends as well as Scout leaders or religious groups. They will want to hear about the way in which the person behaves in different settings, as well as how they behave at home and at other places other than work or school.
Diagnosis
To be considered to have ADHD, you must have at least 6 traits (symptoms) that began before age 12. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six consecutive months. The symptoms must also get in the way of functioning well at school, work, and/or home. The symptoms can't be caused by another mental health issue. Your doctor may recommend you to an expert for an assessment. You can print out quotations from NICE 87 guidelines or download the letter of support from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Your doctor will talk to you about your issues and how they impact your life. They will also ask you about your family education, social and academic background. They may ask for your school records from your past and may want to interview teachers or other people who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator might try to rule out other explanations for your symptoms and recommend that you undergo neuropsychological tests or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination could take several hours. Adults may have to make more than one visit to their physician to complete the evaluation. The evaluator will discuss the results with you and may suggest treatment options that could be beneficial.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the type that is inattentive include difficulty staying focused and attentive and 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.
Some adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can cause financial issues as well as broken or stressed marriages, and issues with parenting. During the assessment the therapist may speak with both the person suffering from ADHD and their spouse or partner to gain an understanding of how their issues impact the relationship. You may be asked to complete checklists describing your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically includes an interview with the person being evaluated and their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires or rating scales which compare behavior of people suffering from ADHD to those of people who don't have it, and standardized tests. The evaluator might also ask 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 at home, social, and personal life. Expect to be asked about how often you interrupt others, if you get lost things easily, and if you fail to complete tasks. The evaluator wants to know if these symptoms were present throughout their entire lives or if they first started to manifest in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must have significant problems in at least two of the following areas: work, family life, school, or social relationships. Examples of this disorder are being fired from a job, failing a class or not paying the bills on time. People who have mild ADHD symptoms can have trouble in some areas, but they do not have major issues.
There are many factors that could trigger similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD, including physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate the person's mood, their medical background and other factors to rule out the possibility of these conditions.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It assists people in developing more effective coping skills and understand how to manage their symptoms. It could include cognitive behavior therapy which teaches people to transform negative thoughts into positive ones. It also helps reduce the effects of any underlying conditions or mental health issues, such as depression and alcohol abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can also help the person they love to learn to help them and manage the difficulties of living with someone who suffers from ADHD.
Medication
ADHD is defined by inattention, hyperactivity and the tendency to be impulsive. Medications may help to alleviate these symptoms. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with therapy and training which can ease symptoms and allow people to perform better at home, school at work, at home, or in their hobbies. Medication is not a panacea and patients need to consult with their doctor to learn how best to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the ideal combination of medication and dosages. However, it's important to remember that there are many alternatives.
An experienced specialist will interview the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD, paying special attention to behaviors that occur in several situations, including at school and at home. They will also look at the person's occupational and academic background and ask questions about their life as a family. They will ask for old report cards or performance evaluations and may also want to speak with the person's teacher.
It is important to remember that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD the person's symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12). So, although an expert will only speak about current symptoms when conducting an assessment of diagnosis however, they may have to talk with other people who knew the person as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
ADHD medication usually contains stimulants that are believed to regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals known as Neurotransmitters. They are available in various forms, including liquids, tablets, and patches. The stimulants can cause side effects such as difficulty sleeping, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe if taken according to doctor's instructions. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine and other antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. adhd uk assessment work slower and have less side negative effects, but they are not suitable for everyone.
A combination of medication, therapy, and behavior modifications are the most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children may try several medications and change them depending on their needs or the circumstances change.