ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is crucial to conduct a thorough assessment of ADHD. This includes an interview with a clinician as well as information from outside sources such as spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales and standardized testing.
Experts might also see your child's school records and talk with teachers as well as religious leaders, scout leaders or coaches. This is because ADHD symptoms must have been present since childhood in order to be diagnosed as an adult.
ADHD symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD are different based on age, but children with ADHD often have difficulty staying focused on tasks or paying attention to other people. They may fumble or blurt out answers when asked questions, or interrupt other people. They also might struggle with organization skills, become bored easily and find it difficult to wait their turn. The behavior of an impulsive person is defined as engaging in activities or rushing around without permission. They may also be prone to use explosive excitement or anger to excite themselves, for example, through causing others to be angry or pulling off pranks.
In an evaluation, a physician may utilize questionnaires or interviews to determine whether a child has ADHD. Teachers may also be asked to complete rating scales. They can also conduct physical or neurodevelopmental tests to find any medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid conditions and mood disorders.
The evaluater will also want to determine if your child suffers from any other mental health conditions, such as oppositional defiant disorders, conduct disorder or anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your family history, such as whether anyone else has ADHD or any other psychiatric issues.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, including household and work obligations. They may also have difficulty being a good coworker or family members. They might also be late to appointments or fail to show up for social occasions due to their ailments. Their academic issues 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 conduct an interview with both the patient and a person who knows them very well. This could be a spouse, parent or teacher or coach, nanny or coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them determine what tests, if required, will determine the cause of other conditions that can cause ADHD symptoms. They could also utilize an assessment tool designed to detect the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of determining ADHD involves a number of appointments with doctors and therapists. The diagnosis is based on symptoms and how they affect the person's daily life. Getting a correct diagnosis is essential to gaining control over the symptoms which can interfere with life at work and with family. A medical professional 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, as well as when they first started to notice. The doctor might ask the patient to keep a diary detailing their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This is very helpful in getting an exact picture of the issue and aiding in determining which tests or evaluations are needed to determine whether ADHD is the cause of the symptoms.
In addition to observing how the person functions in various situations, the doctor may utilize questionnaires to evaluate the signs. This can include questionnaires to parents and teachers to evaluate children for the disorder, as well as 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 exam to ensure that there isn't any physical issue such as thyroid problems or seizures, that could be the reason for the issue. Other tests can be done to screen other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Occasionally, the doctor will request brain scans to identify other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD however they can be useful when other tests for diagnosing the condition have failed.
For adults who suspect they or their child may have ADHD, the best place to begin is to speak with a primary health care provider. If the patient does not have a primary care doctor, they should inquire with their insurance company to request the list of health specialists in their area who are qualified to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental condition. A thorough evaluation may include an interview with the child and a parent and rating scales that compare behavior to that of people who do not have ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD which include thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. A physical exam may be required to determine these causes. A psychological examination is required to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental health condition such as anxiety.
Symptoms of ADHD can cause significant problems in work, school and in relationships. The person who is being evaluated must discuss the issues they are experiencing in a candid and honest manner with the examiner and not hold back because of shame or fear of criticism. They should report symptoms as accurately as they can, including the way they affect them at home and in school. Parents should be involved in the evaluation process, however, they should not take the decision to administer medication to their child.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the underlying condition as well as the symptoms and age of the child. For instance, stimulants are typically used in children and teens to treat ADHD due to their effectiveness in increasing activity in areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. These medications are available in tablets with immediate release and modified-release that release the medication gradually throughout the day. Methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other treatment options for ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavior therapy that teaches specific strategies to transform negative behaviors into positive behaviors. Some adults who have ADHD may benefit from these therapies and also from educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important part is the follow-up. It is essential to hold regular meetings to evaluate the progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to be involved in the process, such as Scout or religious leaders. These experts can provide valuable advice on how the child behaves and performs in various situations.
Medication
There are a variety of medications that are used to treat ADHD. The most common are stimulants that work by increasing activity in certain brain regions that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most frequently used stimulant among teenagers, adults and children who are older than five years old is the most well-known. It comes in tablet form and is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day. It comes in immediate-release (short acting) or extended-release forms (taken one time a day but released throughout the entire day).
Many people have reported that their symptoms and impairments dramatically improve after some time on medication. These effects are typically observed in home, school and social settings. The effect of these influences on performance is evaluated using one or more standardized ratings scales, which compare the performance of a person with other people. These ratings are not diagnostic by themselves but they can provide valuable, information that can be used to aid in the evaluation process.
In addition to medications in addition to medication, there are other non-medical treatments for ADHD that include behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents receive training in managing their behavior prior to attempting medications on their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and a classroom-based intervention to be a part of the treatment program for adolescents and teenagers with ADHD.
The most frequent adverse effects of ADHD medication include stomach upset and changes in blood pressure and heart rate and sleep disturbances. Some children and teens who are taking stimulants may develop tics. These are repeated movements or noises, such as eye-blinking or clearing the throat. Some teens and children who are taking ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their growth, however this is typically not significant and does not alter their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant medications have the potential to lead to addiction and abuse, however research has proven that this is not the case with the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the likelihood of substance abuse in some teens and children however this isn't due to the medication.
A possible adverse effect of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A recent study found that those who took stimulant medications for ADHD had a greater chance of developing CVD than others who didn't take the medications. assess adhd looked at data from 278 027 people which included 10 388 individuals with ADHD. They compared them with 51 672 people who were not diagnosed with ADHD. These participants were tracked for 14 years.