What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will want to talk to you whether or not your child has symptoms of ADHD. He or she might ask questions about your family and health history. He or she may also inquire about the education of your child. He or she will talk to your child's teachers, coaches, scout and religious leaders, and others who are familiar with them.
Symptoms
Find a doctor with experience in diagnosing ADHD If you or someone you love suspects they may have it. Your family doctor should recommend you to a specialist who is an expert in the field of children's mental health. The person conducting the assessment will start by talking with you about your issues and how they affect your life. They may also inquire about your work, school, and social life. The examiner will need to look over any records you may have, such as performance evaluations from your work or school and old report cards.
A full assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with the person's family members, teachers and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will use various ratings scales and questionnaires to evaluate the person for ADHD as well as standardized testing used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you act in various situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD -- hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The evaluator will also check whether the person's ADHD interferes with their everyday functioning. They will also assess whether the symptoms are more severe than is expected for their age and developmental level. They will also compare the person's issues to the experiences of others in similar situations, like their peers at school or on a sports 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 also have caused significant impairments in at least two aspects of their lives. For children, this will typically mean issues with their schoolwork and relationships with their parents and siblings. Adults may lose their job if they have trouble paying attention or keeping track of their bills and paperwork.
adhd assessment cost uk will also speak to other people who know the person well like relatives, friends and religious or scout leaders. They will be interested in knowing how the person behaves in different situations, including at home and in other settings beyond school or work.
Diagnosis
You must show at least six traits (symptoms), which began before the age of 12. You must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at minimum six months. The symptoms should also affect your ability to perform at home, school, or work. The symptoms cannot be caused by any other mental disorder. Your GP can refer an expert to conduct an assessment. You can download a supportive letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print the quotes from NICE 87 guideline that describe the reasons you should undergo an assessment.
Your specialist will talk with you about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also inquire about your family, social and educational background. They might also request your school records from the past and interview teachers or other people who knew you as a child. The evaluator will eliminate other possible explanations for your symptoms and may suggest that you undergo neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Certain adults may need to attend more than one visit with their doctor to complete the process. The evaluator will discuss the results with you, and could suggest treatments that could help.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The ADHD that is inattentive is defined by a lack of attention and remaining focused as well as a tendency to forget and/or a lack in 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 cannot comprehend how their condition affects their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial issues, strained or broken relationships, and parental issues. During the evaluation, a psychologist may talk with the ADHD person and their spouse or partner to determine how their issues impact the relationship. They might ask both of you fill out checklists of your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric examination for ADHD typically involves an interview with the person being evaluated as well as their caregivers, completion of questionnaires or rating scales which compare the behavior of those with ADHD to those of people who don't have it, and standardized testing. The evaluator might also request teachers to complete questionnaires and examine the reports of the child.
People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to discuss how their symptoms affect their work at home, social, and personal life. Expect to be asked how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, or if you are unable to finish tasks. The examiner would like 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).
A person must experience significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work family relationships or social interactions. Examples of this disorder are getting fired from a job, failing an exam or not paying the bills on time. People with mild ADHD symptoms can still have trouble in some areas, but do not experience major disruptions.
There are many factors that can cause similar symptoms to those experienced by ADHD like physical conditions and stress. A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate the person's mood, their medical history, and other factors to rule out these possible causes.
Behavioral therapy is one of the most common treatments for ADHD. It assists patients in developing better coping abilities and learn how to manage their symptoms. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches how to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts. It can also help reduce the negative effects of any underlying illness or mental health issues such as depression and addiction to drugs.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from couples or marital therapy. It can help them appreciate the perspective of their partner and improve communication. It can also assist their partner to understand how to support them and cope with the difficulties of living with someone who suffers from ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of ADHD. They are often prescribed along with therapy and skill training, which can improve symptoms and allow people to function better at school, home at work or in their leisure activities. The use of medication is not a panacea and patients need to consult with their physician to learn how best to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take a few tries to find the best dosage of medication and dosage. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that there are many alternatives.
A specialist will talk to a parent, child or an adult to find out about their experiences with ADHD. They will pay special attention to behaviors that happen in different settings, including at school and home. They will also inquire about the person's family background as well as their academic and occupational background. They may request old report cards or performance assessments and may also want to talk to the person's teacher.
It is important to keep in mind that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms of the patient must have been present since the earliest years of their life (technically before the age of 12). So, while an expert will only discuss the current symptoms during a diagnostic assessment it is likely that they will 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 balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as Neurotransmitters. These drugs are available in a variety of forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. They can trigger adverse effects, such as difficulty sleeping, agitation and loss of appetite. However, they are generally safe if taken according to doctor's instructions. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, are also used to treat ADHD. They generally work slower and have fewer side negative effects, but they are not recommended for everyone.
A combination of medication, therapy, and behavior changes is the most effective way of treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children can experiment with different medications and alter them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.