ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation of ADHD. This should include a doctor interview, other sources, such as the spouse or a family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, as well standard tests.
Experts might also see your child's school records and speak with teachers and scout or religious coaches or leaders. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood before they can be diagnosed as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD differ based on age, but children with ADHD are often having trouble staying focused on tasks or paying attention to other people. They may fidget or mutter answers when asked 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 described as getting involved in activities or running around in circles without permission. They might also be inclined to using exuberant anger or excitement to stimulate themselves, such as by making others mad or playing jokes.
In an evaluation, a physician may employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine whether a child has ADHD. They may also request that the child's teachers complete rating scales. They can also conduct a physical or neurodevelopmental exam to determine if there are medical issues that may cause symptoms of ADHD like thyroid disorders or mood disorders.
The evaluator might also inquire if your child suffers from any other mental disorder like conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, or anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history. For instance if other members of your family have ADHD or any other psychiatric disorder.
Adults who suffer from ADHD struggle with managing their lives, including the demands of home and work. They may also have issues working with family members or coworkers. They might be late for appointments or not attend social events because of their health issues. The academic challenges they face can lead to a failure in 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 conduct an interview with both the patient and an individual who knows them well. This could be a spouse, parent, teacher or coach, nanny or a coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them determine which tests, if required, will help rule out other conditions causing ADHD symptoms. They may also use a checklist to identify these symptoms among adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves a series appointments with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is by analyzing the symptoms and how they impact the person's daily life. It is important to get the right diagnosis in order to manage symptoms that could affect the family life and work. A healthcare provider who is an expert in ADHD, like psychologists or psychiatrists, will identify the problem.
The doctor will discuss the patient's medical background and symptoms and when they first started to notice. The doctor may request an account of their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This can be extremely helpful to gain a clear understanding of the problem, and to decide which tests or evaluations are needed to determine whether ADHD is the cause.
The doctor may also use questionnaires in order to assess symptoms. The doctor might utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to assess children, as well as an interview with the patient to determine the signs. 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 conduct an examination to make sure that there isn't any physical issue, like thyroid problems or seizures, that could be causing the issue. Other tests could be performed to look for other ailments like depression or anxiety.
Occasionally, the doctor will conduct brain scans to identify other possible causes of the symptoms. from this source are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful when other diagnostic procedures have not worked.
If you or your child suspects that they have ADHD and you suspect that they do, it is recommended to speak with an experienced primary physician. If the person does not have a primary care physician, they should contact their insurance provider for a list of health specialists in their area who are certified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
A physician can determine whether the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental disorder. An extensive evaluation could include an interview with a child and parent, as well as rating scales that compare the child's behavior with that of those who do not have ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. These include thyroid problems or head injuries, as well as seizures. A physical exam may be required to rule out these causes. A psychological examination will be needed to determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or a different mental health condition like anxiety.
The signs of ADHD can lead to significant problems in work, school and relationships. The person being evaluated should discuss the problems they are experiencing in a candid and honest manner with the examiner, and not hold back because of shame or fear of being judged. They should report symptoms as accurately as they can and include the ways they affect them both at home and in school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation process, however, they should not take the decision to medicate their child.
The type of medication prescribed will depend on the child's age, the condition that is leading to the symptoms and the kind of medication. For example stimulants are commonly prescribed in adolescents and children to treat ADHD because they work by increasing activity in areas of the brain that regulate attention and behavior. These medications can be in the form of tablets with immediate release or modified-release tablets that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, is available in tablet form.
Other forms of treatment for ADHD may involve counseling for the family or marital relationship, or cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps to teach specific skills to transform negative behavior to positive ones. Some adults with ADHD may benefit from these therapies and also from occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important aspect is the follow-up. There should be regular meetings to review the progress and decide on next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to be involved in the process, including Scout or religious leaders. These professionals can provide valuable information on how the child behaves in different environments and provide a more complete picture of the child's functioning.
Medication
ADHD is treated with a variety of medications. The most popular are stimulants, which work by increasing activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children who are over 5 years old. It is available in tablet form and is typically taken between 2 and 3 times a day. It is available in immediate-release (short-acting) or extended-release (taken every day in the morning, and released throughout the day).
Many people have reported that their symptoms and impairment significantly improve after a few weeks of medication. These effects can be observed in social, educational and home settings. The effect on performance in these environments is measured using one or more standardized rating scales that compare the behavior of the person with those of other people. These ratings are not diagnostic by themselves but they can provide valuable, objective information for the evaluation process.
In addition to medication There are also non-medical treatments for ADHD which include behavior therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in behavior management prior to using medication on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be a part of the treatment program for adolescents and teenagers with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. getting assessed for adhd and children who take stimulants can develop tics, which are repetitive movements or sounds, like eye blinking or throat clearing. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for some adolescents and children, however it's usually not significant and doesn't affect their final height.
These medications have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, but research shows that this is not a significant risk for the doses used to treat ADHD. Certain adolescents and children who have ADHD are at higher risk for addiction issues however, this is due to the disorder, not the medication.
Another potential adverse effect of ADHD medication is the chance for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent study showed that those who used stimulant medications for ADHD were more likely of developing CVD than those who didn't take the medications. Researchers examined data from 278 027 people, which included 10 388 people with ADHD. They compared the participants with 51 672 healthy controls without ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.