ADHD Screening Test - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
If you think that you or your child is suffering from ADHD, the first step is to schedule an appointment for the diagnosis. A clear diagnosis will help you understand and treat this condition.
During an evaluation the doctor will ask you questions regarding your health and development going back to the early years of childhood. They may also use symptom checklists and scales for assessing behavior.
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To determine the presence of ADHD, you need to gather as much information as you can about the person. This might include getting a physical exam, gathering health and school records or speaking with family members as well as teachers, coworkers, and other close friends. It is important to determine if there are any other illnesses that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD like seizures, thyroid disorders, and a variety of anxiety disorders.
The doctor will want to know how the symptoms affected the patient's life. This could include asking questions like whether they have trouble finishing tasks or are easily distracted, if they often lose things, have difficulty with time management or are always running late for work or social events. In children, the doctor might also inquire if the symptoms began before age 12 years old.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults and children. They use standard diagnostic criteria, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine if symptoms satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD you must exhibit at least six symptoms in each category for at least six month.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a condemnation. Many people with ADHD have mild symptoms, and they can learn how to manage their symptoms with the help of therapy, medications and healthy lifestyle choices.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD is stimulant. It is available in a variety forms including tablets, chewable pills and liquids. A health professional can prescribe the right medication and dosage to the patient. They can also give suggestions on healthy lifestyles which can improve the symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise or a good night's sleep. In some cases, nonstimulant medications such as antidepressants can be prescribed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is a first step towards making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. However, the best way to determine whether you are suffering from ADHD is to schedule a medical evaluation with a mental health professional. A psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist or neurologist can all be certified to provide an ADHD assessment.
Before determining a diagnosis your mental health professional will go over American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child about the symptoms that have persisted for at minimum six months. They will also look over your child's medical, psychiatric, and family medical history.
The person being assessed may be asked for input from independent sources such as spouses or other family members regarding their symptoms. This will help the mental health professional to build an accurate picture of the person's behavior as well as their experiences with ADHD. The doctor will also use the standard ADHD behavior scales and ask the person to talk about their past experiences in school, work relationships, hobbies and other activities.
It is important that the mental health professional understands that other conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must also rule out other disorders such as thyroid problems or seizure disorders before determining that one suffers from ADHD.
In some cases, the mental health specialist may suggest a physical exam. This is important for adults since certain medical conditions can cause the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Once the mental health professional has made an assessment they will explain the reasons why it's most likely caused by neurological issues like hypothalamus hyperactive or inactive, genetic predisposition and environmental factors like poor diet, alcohol abuse and stress.
The mental health professional will discuss treatment options. The right combination of treatments can help people manage their ADHD symptoms and lead an active and fulfilling life. Some people can find accommodations at school and at work, such as being allowed to take tests in a private room or to take a longer break between classes, which makes their lives easier.
Treatment
The diagnosis of ADHD symptoms can be the first step in controlling them. They can create serious problems, whether at school, at work or at home. Treatment includes medication and therapy. Therapy can help an individual develop better time management and develop methods for improving their organization, like daily planners or list. A therapist can help teach the skills of social interaction and emotional regulation. If a child has co-existing disorders, such as depression or anxiety, counseling may help with those too.
The health care professional conducting the examination might ask a series of questions and then conduct the neuropsychological or psychological exam. These tests compare the performance of a person with those with similar ages. These tests can reveal if a person is suffering from an intellectual disorder or other disorders that might be co-existent or have a similar appearance to ADHD. The specialist could ask the person questions and also interview other adults, like babysitters or teachers, to obtain a complete picture of the person's behavior, problems and habits.
For adults, health care professionals use the same criteria for diagnosing ADHD as they do for children: six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. The specialist might also examine the school records of a previous student to determine if a person had issues as a kid. Adults may struggle to remember their childhood problems. However, according to current diagnostic guidelines the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms did not occur often more than once before the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, the doctor might check to see whether any medical issues might be causing or worsening the ADHD symptoms. Some of these conditions include thyroid issues or seizures that can have symptoms similar to ADHD. A medical exam could include a vision or hearing test. The specialist may also talk to the person’s parents or other relatives, and talk about their problems at school or work.
Medication
Stimulants, like amphetamine or methylphenidate - are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that control attention and movements. If stimulants are used as prescribed, studies have shown that they lower the risk of children with ADHD abusing drugs and having other issues. However, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects, including the loss of appetite, difficulties sleeping and heart or lung issues in some children.
Doctors may also prescribe nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. They work slower than stimulants, and are less harmful for those with particular health issues or who are unable to take stimulants because of unpleasant adverse effects, like anxiety and ringing in the ear or changes in vision or the function of the heart and lungs. They may also be beneficial in treating tic disorders like Tourette syndrome. Some antidepressants such as bupropion and SSRIs are used to treat ADHD. These drugs are not FDA approved for this purpose, and could interact negatively with stimulants.
Other forms of medicationfor instance, some used to treat high blood pressure- also have been shown to help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. However, they haven't been studied as extensively as stimulants.
Adults generally respond well to a combination of medications, behavior therapy, and training in skills. Adults who undergo this combination treatment report feeling more at ease with their symptoms and are able to manage these.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional to refer you to an expert if you suspect that you or someone else you know is suffering from symptoms of ADHD. You can also contact a university-based hospital or medical or graduate school to get recommendations or consult your insurance company's list of specialists according to their specialties.
If you're an adult, you can try a self-assessment survey to see if you might have ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is a simple checklist that can be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.