What Is An ADHD Assessment: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
What is an ADHD Assessment?
Your doctor will talk to you if you or your child exhibits signs of ADHD. He or she might ask about your family background and health. You might also inquire about the schooling of your child. He or she will speak to your child's teachers, coaches, scouts and religious leaders, and others who are familiar with them.
Signs and symptoms
If you or someone you know suspects they have ADHD, the first step in getting an assessment is to locate an expert in health care who has expertise in diagnosing it. Look for someone who specializes in children's mental health or ask your family physician for a referral. The person who examines you will start by asking about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They might also ask questions regarding your health, work, school and social life. The examiner could ask you to see old report cards and performance evaluations at school or at work, and other documents.
A complete assessment of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person as well as teachers and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will utilize a variety of questionnaires and rating scales to assess the person's ADHD and standardized tests used in school evaluations. You will be asked to provide examples on how you behave in different situations. They will also compare your behavior to the DSM V ADHD criteria -- inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The evaluator will also determine whether the person's ADHD hinders their daily functioning. They will determine if the symptoms are more severe than expected for their age or development. They will compare the person's issues to the experiences of others in similar situations, such as their classmates 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 led to significant impairments in at least two different areas of their lives. For children, this can typically result in problems with their school work and relationships with their parents and siblings. For adults, it may be a loss of a job as a result of inattention issues and having trouble keeping track of paperwork or bills.
The evaluator may also talk to people who are familiar with the person, such as relatives and friends, as well as Scout leaders or religious groups. They will want to hear about the way in which the person behaves in various settings, as well as how they behave at home and at other places outside of school or work.
Diagnosis
You must have at least six traits (symptoms) that started before 12 years of age. Additionally, you must be experiencing these symptoms continuously for at minimum six months. The symptoms must also get impeding your ability to function well at school, work or at home. The symptoms can't be caused by a mental health condition. Your GP can refer to a specialist to conduct an assessment. You can download a support letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP, or print quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines that provide the reasons why you should undergo an assessment.
Your specialist will discuss your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. They will also ask you about your family as well as your educational and social history. They might also ask for your school records from your past and may also be interested in interviewing teachers or other people who have known you since you were a child. The examiner may attempt to rule out other explanations for your symptoms and recommend that you undergo neuropsychological testing or diagnostic tests.
A thorough examination can take several hours. Some adults need more than one appointment with their specialist to complete the evaluation. The evaluation specialist may discuss the results and suggest possible treatments with you.
You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. The signs of the type that is inattentive include difficulties staying focused and paying attention and forgetfulness as well as poor ability to organize. 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 have difficulty understanding how their conditions affect their lives and relationships. This can lead to broken or fractured marriages, financial difficulties and problems with parenting. During the examination, the clinician may talk with both the individual with ADHD and their spouse or partner to gain an understanding of how their symptoms affect the relationship. You may be asked to fill out checklists of your symptoms.
Treatment
A psychiatric evaluation for ADHD usually involves an interview with the person being evaluated as well as their caregivers, the completion of questionnaires or rating scales which compare behaviors of people with ADHD to those of people who do not have it, as well as standardized testing. In the case of children, the evaluator might also examine their school reports and ask teachers to fill out questionnaires.
Anyone suffering from ADHD symptoms should be prepared to discuss how their ADHD symptoms affect their social, work and family life. They should expect to be asked questions about how often they interrupt others and how easily they lose things, and how often they don't follow through on their tasks. The examiner will want to know if these symptoms are present for all time or if they began in the early years of childhood (technically before the age of 12).
A person must have significant problems in two or more of the following areas to be diagnosed with ADHD such as school and work life, family relationships, or social interactions. This can be proven through being fired from a job, failing an educational course or not paying bills in time. People with mild ADHD symptoms may still experience trouble in some areas, but they do not suffer from major disruptions.
Stress and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A mental health professional or health care provider will assess the person's mood, medical background and other factors in order to rule out the possibility of these.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for ADHD. It helps people learn more effective ways to manage their symptoms and build stronger strategies for coping. It may include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the effects of chronic conditions and mental health issues, such as substance abuse or depression.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from marital or couple therapy. It can help them better understand their partner and improve communication. It can also assist their partner to understand how to support them and deal with the challenges of living with someone with ADHD.
Medication
Medications can help with the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of ADHD. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with skill training and therapy that can help improve symptoms and allow people to function better at home, school at work or in their activities. However, medications are not a cure and people must remain in contact with their doctor to learn how to manage their ADHD symptoms. It may take a few times to find the right dosage and combination of medications but it is crucial to remember that there are a myriad of alternatives.
An experienced specialist will speak with the child, parent, or adult about their experiences with ADHD and pay particular attention to the behaviors that happen in various environments, such as at school and at home. They will also look at the person's occupational and academic background and ask questions about their family life. They will usually request performance evaluations from the workplace or old report cards, and will want to talk with the person's teachers.
It is important to keep in mind that to be diagnosed with ADHD the person's symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to age 12). So, while experts will only talk about the current symptoms during a diagnostic assessment however, they may need to speak with others who knew the individual as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers.
Treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which are believed to increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They are available in various forms including tablets, liquids, and patches. The stimulants can cause side effects such as difficulty sleeping, agitation and loss of appetite. However they are generally safe if following the prescriptions of a doctor. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants are also prescribed for ADHD. how to get an adhd assessment uk tend to be slower-acting and have less adverse effects, however not everyone should use them.
The most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms is a combination of medications as well as behavior therapy and behavioral changes. Adults and children can try several medications and change them depending on their needs or the circumstances change.