ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is important to keep in mind that a thorough evaluation of ADHD is essential prior to starting any treatment. This includes an interview with the clinician as well as information from outside sources such as spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales, as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may also want to review your child's school record and speak to teachers, religious or scout coaches or leaders. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood to be diagnosed as an adult.
The symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD vary by age, however children who suffer from the condition often have trouble staying focused on their work or paying attention to other people. They might fidget and mutter out answers to questions, or interrupt other people. They may also have trouble with organization, get easily bored and have a hard time waiting for their turn. Impulsive behavior can be characterized by engaging in activities or rushing around without permission. They may also be prone to using extreme anger or excitement to stimulate themselves for others, such as making them angry or playing pranks on them.
A doctor can employ questionnaires or interviews to determine if a child has ADHD. They may also ask teachers to complete rating scales. They may also perform physical or neurodevelopmental tests to determine if there are any medical conditions that may trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator can also ask if your child suffers from any other mental disorder such as conduct disorder as well as oppositional defiant syndrome and anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history, such as whether anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults with ADHD have trouble managing their lives, including the demands of home and work. They may also have trouble working with family members or coworkers. Their symptoms can also cause them to be late for appointments or fail to attend social events. Their difficulties in school can 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 the patient as well as someone who is familiar with them. This could include a spouse, parent, teacher or coach, nanny or a coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them decide what tests, if any are required, will determine the cause of other conditions that can cause ADHD symptoms. They may also employ an assessment tool designed to detect these symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD involves a number of appointments with doctors and therapists. The diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms and their impact on the individual's life. It is essential to get the correct diagnosis to control the symptoms that may hinder work and family. A healthcare provider who is an expert in ADHD such as a psychologist or psychiatrist will be able to diagnose the condition.
The doctor will discuss the patient's medical background and symptoms as well as the date they first appeared. The doctor may ask the patient for a diary detailing their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This is a great way to get a clear picture of the problem and to decide which tests or assessments will be required to determine if ADHD is the reason.
The doctor will also use questionnaires in order to assess the symptoms. This may include questionnaires for parents and teachers to determine if children are suffering from the disorder, as well as 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 perform an examination to make sure that there's no physical condition such as thyroid problems or seizures, that could be the reason for the issue. Other tests may be done to check for other conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, a doctor may request brain scans to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't typically used to diagnose ADHD, are a helpful instrument when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been eliminated.
For adults who suspect they or their child has ADHD, the best place to start is by talking with an primary doctor. If the person doesn't have a primary doctor, they should call their insurance provider for the list of health specialists in their area who are qualified to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A physician can determine whether symptoms are caused by ADHD or a different mental illness. A thorough assessment could include a conversation with the child and a parent and rating scales that compare behavior to those of people without ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD which include thyroid problems as well as head injuries, seizures and seizures. It is possible to undergo an exam for physical symptoms to rule out these conditions. A psychological examination will be required to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental health condition such as anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a major impact on school, work, and relationships. The person being assessed should be able to discuss the issues they are having in a candid and honest manner with the examiner, and not hide behind from fear of embarrassment or shame of criticism. They should be able to describe the symptoms as accurately as possible and include the ways they affect them both at home and at school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation, however, they should not take the decision to prescribe medication for their child.
The kind of medication prescribed depends on the condition that is causing it the symptoms and the age of the child. For example, stimulants are often prescribed to adolescents and children with ADHD. They stimulate brain activity in areas that control attention and behavior. They are available in immediate-release tablets and modified-release tablets, which release the medicine slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, which is the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD, is available in tablet form.
Other treatments for ADHD include marital and family therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment, which teaches specific techniques to transform negative behavior into positive behavior. These treatments may be beneficial to adults with ADHD and also occupational and educational accommodations.
The most crucial aspect of treatment is follow-up by having regular meetings to evaluate progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, including religious and scout leaders, in the process. These people can offer valuable information about how the child behaves in various environments and provide a more complete picture of the child's functioning.
Medication
There are many different drugs that are used to treat ADHD. The most common are stimulants, which work by increasing activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant in adults, teens and children over five years old is the most well-known. It is available in tablet form, usually 2-3 times per day. It is available in immediate release (short acting) or extended-release forms (taken one time a day and released throughout the entire day).
Many people report that they feel better after taking medication. These effects are typically observed in school, home and social environments. The effect of these influences on performance is evaluated using one or more standardized ratings scales that compare the behavior of an individual to others. These ratings are not diagnostic in themselves, but provide valuable objective information for the evaluation process.
There are a variety of non-medical treatment options for ADHD such as behavioral therapy and training of parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents receive training in behavior management prior to attempting medication for their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and classroom-based intervention to be a part of the treatment plan for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
CAMHS ADHD assessment UK , ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Children and teens who are taking stimulants might develop tics. They are repetitive sounds or movements, such as eye-blinking or throat clearing. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for some children and teens, but it is usually minor and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, however studies show that this is not a significant risk at the doses used to treat ADHD. Certain adolescents and children with ADHD are more prone for substance use problems however, this is due to the disorder not the medication.
Another potential adverse effect of ADHD medication is the risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent study found that those who took stimulant medications for ADHD had a greater chance of developing CVD than those who did not take the drugs. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 with ADHD. They compared them with 51 672 people who were not diagnosed with ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.