ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is crucial to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This includes a physician interview, additional information from sources, such as the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, and standardized tests.
Experts might also see your child's school records and speak to teachers, religious or scout leaders or coaches. This is because ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood in order to be recognized as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD vary by age, however children who suffer from ADHD are often having trouble staying focused on their work or paying attention to people. They might fidget and mutter out answers to questions or interrupt others. They also might struggle with organizing skills, get easily bored and have difficulty waiting their turn. Impulsive behavior is often defined as jumping into activities or running around without permission. They also may be prone to using exuberant anger or excitement as a way to get their attention and may even make others angry or playing pranks on them.
A doctor can use questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if a child is ADHD. They may also request that the child's teachers fill out rating scales. They may also perform a physical or neurodevelopmental exam to determine if there are medical issues that can cause symptoms of ADHD like thyroid conditions or mood disorders.
The evaluator might also inquire whether your child has any other mental disorder like conduct disorder, oppositional defiant syndrome or anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your family history, including if anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric conditions.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty managing their daily lives, including the demands of work and home. They may also have difficulty being a good coworker or family members. Their symptoms can also cause them to be late for appointments or not attend social events. The academic challenges they face can result in failure at school and 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 a person who knows them well. This could be a parent, spouse, teacher, coach, nanny, or coach for children. The information collected will help the doctor determine which, if any, tests could rule out other conditions that are causing symptoms of ADHD. It is also possible to use a checklist to identify these signs in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD involves several sessions with therapists and doctors. The diagnosis is by analyzing the symptoms and how they impact the individual's daily activities. It is crucial to obtain the right diagnosis in order to control the symptoms that may affect the family life and work. The diagnosis is given by a healthcare professional who specializes in ADHD like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will review the patient's medical history and symptoms, including the date they first began to show. The doctor may request a diary detailing the symptoms they experience and how they impact their lives. This can be extremely helpful in getting an accurate picture of the problem and aiding in determining what tests or assessments are needed to determine whether ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
The doctor will also use questionnaires in order to assess symptoms. This could include parent and teacher questionnaires to determine if children are suffering from 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 perform an examination to make sure that there isn't any physical issue, like thyroid problems or seizures, which could be the cause of the issue. Other tests could be performed to look for other ailments such as depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, the doctor might require brain scans to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't routinely used to diagnose ADHD, are a helpful instrument when other diagnostic procedures have been ruled out.
For adults who suspect they or their child is suffering from ADHD the best place to begin is by talking with the primary doctor. If the person doesn't have a primary care physician, they should contact their insurance provider for a list of health specialists in their area who are qualified to perform an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental condition. An extensive evaluation could include a conversation with the child and a parent and rating scales to compare the behavior of those with and who do not have ADHD.
Many medical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD, including thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. It is possible to conduct an exam for physical symptoms to rule out any of these ailments. A psychological exam may be needed to determine if symptoms are caused by ADHD or some other mental health issue, like anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a major impact on school, work, and relationships. The person being evaluated should be able to discuss the issues they're experiencing in a candid and honest manner 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 is possible and include the ways they affect them at home and in school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation, but they shouldn't make the decision to prescribe medication for their child.
The dosage of the medication will depend on the child's age, the condition that is leading to the symptoms and the type of medication. For example, stimulants are often prescribed to teens and children with ADHD. They help by stimulating brain activity in areas that control the behavior and attention. These medications are available in the form of immediate-release tablets 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 forms of treatment for ADHD could include family and marital counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy which provides specific techniques to change negative behaviors into positive ones. These therapies may be beneficial for some adults suffering from ADHD as well as educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important thing is the follow-up. There should be assess adhd to evaluate the progress made and determine next steps. Parents should be encouraged to include teachers and other professionals, such as religious and scout leaders, in the process. These experts can provide valuable information on how the child behaves and performs in various situations.
Medication
ADHD is treated with a variety of medications. The majority of stimulants work by increasing brain activity in certain brain regions that regulate the behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant for 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 versions (taken only once per day, but released throughout the entire day).
Many people say they feel better after taking medication. These effects are typically observed in the home, school, and social environments. The impact on performance in these environments is measured using one or more standardized rating scales, which evaluate the behavior of the person with the behavior of others. These ratings are not diagnostic by themselves however they provide useful, information that can be used to aid in the evaluation process.
In addition to medications There are also non-medicated treatments for ADHD that include behavioral therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents undergo training in behavior management before trying medication for their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy as well as classroom-based interventions be part of the treatment plans for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
The most frequent adverse effects of ADHD medication are stomach upset, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and sleep disturbances. Certain children and teens who are taking stimulants might develop tics. These are repetitive movements or noises like eye-blinking or throat clearing. Some children and teens who take ADHD medication may notice a slight slowdown in their growth, but this is typically not significant and does not impact their final height.
The stimulant medications have the potential to trigger dependence and abuse, but research has proven that this is not an issue at the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of substance abuse in some kids and teens however this isn't due to the medication.
A potential adverse consequence of ADHD medication is the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research has revealed that those who take stimulant medications to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who do not. Researchers looked at data from 278 027 individuals which included 10 388 individuals who suffer from ADHD. They compared them with 51 672 control participants without ADHD. The participants were monitored for 14 years.