ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is important to remember that a complete evaluation of ADHD is essential prior to starting any treatment. This should include an interview with a clinician as well as information from outside sources like spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales and tests that are standardized.
Experts may also look over your child's school records and speak to teachers, religious or scout leaders or coaches. ADHD symptoms must be evident from the beginning of childhood to be recognized at an adult age.
Symptoms of ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD vary by age, however children who suffer from the condition often have trouble staying focused on tasks or paying attention to others. They might fumble and mutter out answers to questions, or interrupt other people. They might also struggle with organizational skills, get easily bored and find it difficult to wait their turn. Impulsive behavior is often defined as getting involved in activities or running around without permission. They also may be inclined to use exuberant excitement or anger to stimulate themselves and may even make others angry or playing pranks with them.
In an evaluation, a physician may use clinical interviews or questionnaires to determine if a child has ADHD. They may also ask teachers to complete rating scales. They can also conduct an examination of the neurodevelopmental or physical to determine if there are medical issues that may cause symptoms of ADHD, such as thyroid disorders or mood disorders.
The evaluator may also ask whether your child has any other mental disorder, such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant syndrome or anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your family background. For instance if other members of your family have ADHD or any other psychiatric disorder.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty managing their daily life, which includes home and work responsibilities. They may also have issues being a good friend to family members or colleagues. They may also be late to appointments or not show up for social occasions due to their ailments. Their struggles at 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 conduct an interview with the patient and anyone who knows them well -- such as a spouse or parent for adults or a teacher coach, nanny or coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them decide what tests, if necessary, can rule out other conditions causing ADHD symptoms. They could also utilize 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 dependent on the presence of symptoms and their impact on a person's life. Getting a correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms, that can hinder life at work and with family. The diagnosis is given by a healthcare professional who specializes in ADHD, such as psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical history and symptoms, including a discussion of when they first began to show. The doctor may request an account of the symptoms they experience and how they affect their lives. This can be very helpful to get a clear picture of the problem and to decide which tests or evaluations will be required to determine if ADHD is the root cause.
diva assessment for adhd may also utilize questionnaires in order to assess symptoms. This may include questionnaires for parents and teachers to evaluate children for the disorder, as well as an interview with the patient to determine 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 may also perform an examination to ensure there isn't any physical issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures, which could be the cause of the problem. Other tests may be conducted to determine if there are other issues such as anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor will request brain scans to determine the cause of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't commonly used to diagnose ADHD, could be a useful instrument when other diagnostic procedures have been eliminated.
If you or your child thinks they may have ADHD or other disorders, it is best to consult an experienced primary physician. If the person does not have a primary care physician, they should contact their insurance provider for the list of health professionals in their area who are qualified to perform an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental condition. A thorough evaluation can include an interview with a child and parent, as well as rating scales that evaluate the child's behavior with those of people without ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that could cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. These include thyroid issues or head injuries, as well as seizures. It may be necessary to undergo an examination for physical health to rule out the presence of these conditions. A psychological examination may be necessary 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 work, school and relationships. The person being assessed should discuss the problems they are having openly and honestly with the examiner and not be hesitant out of shame or fear of being judged. They should be able to describe the symptoms as accurately as possible, including the way they affect them at home and in school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation process, but they should not make the decision to administer medication to their child.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the condition that is causing it, symptoms and age of the child. For example, stimulants are often prescribed to children and teens with ADHD. They stimulate brain activity in areas that control the behavior and attention. These medications are available in the form of tablets with immediate release or modified-release tablets that release the medicine slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD is available in tablet form.
Other treatments for ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy which teaches specific methods to transform negative behavior into positive behaviors. Some adults with ADHD might benefit from these treatments and also from educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important aspect is the follow-up. It is essential to hold regular meetings to evaluate the progress and decide on next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, such as religious and scout leaders, in the process. These professionals can provide valuable information on how the child behaves in different settings and give a fuller picture of how the child is performing.
Medication
ADHD is treated using various medications. The most commonly used are stimulants, which function by increasing the activity in specific brain regions that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant for teens, adults and children over five years old, is the most popular. It comes in tablet form and is usually taken between 2 and 3 times per day. It is available as immediate-release (short-acting), or extended-release (taken at least once per day in the morning and released throughout the day).
Many people claim to feel better after taking medication. These effects can be observed in educational, social and home settings. The effect of these influences on performance is assessed by using one or more standard ratings scales, which compare the performance of a person to other people. These ratings are not diagnostic in themselves, but provide valuable objective information for the evaluation process.
In addition to medications, there are also non-medicated treatments for ADHD that include therapy for behavior and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents undergo training in behavioral management prior to trying medications for their children. The guidelines also recommend psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be a part of the treatment plan for teens and adolescents with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Certain children and teens who are taking stimulants could develop tics. They are repetitive sounds or movements like eye-blinking or throat clearing. Some teens and children who are taking ADHD medication may experience a slight reduction in their height, but this is typically not significant and doesn't impact their final height.
Stimulant medication has the potential to trigger addiction and abuse, but research has shown that this is not the case when it comes to dosages prescribed for ADHD. Some kids and teens with ADHD are more prone for substance use problems however, this is due to the disorder not the medication.
Another potential negative effect of ADHD medication is the chance of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent study found that those who used stimulant medication for ADHD had a greater chance of developing CVD than those who did not take the medication. The researchers analyzed data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 people who suffer from ADHD. They compared them to 51 672 participants who did not have ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.