ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help detect possible ADHD symptoms, but the only way to make a diagnosis is to visit an experienced health professional. These professionals typically use the combination of physical examinations and behavioral testing.
They may also wish to speak with family members and school officials. They might also wish to speak with family members and school officials.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of aspects of life including at school and work. The first step to get treatment is to consult a physician assess your symptoms. Begin by talking with your primary healthcare provider or requesting an appointment with a mental healthcare professional. Your doctor will ask about your medical and family history and your current symptoms. They might also inquire about your symptoms when you were an infant.
Having a hard time following instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and at work (e.g. missed appointments, fails to finish assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Sometimes, they forget important tasks, such as paying bills or showing up to work. It is easy to forget about homework or household chores at home. Often loses track of conversations and misses specifics when reading or listening. Sometimes, one loses track of conversations and misses details when listening or reading.
People who have the most inattention type of ADHD are more likely to have difficulty remembering things. The symptoms of this type are less obvious than the hyperactivity and impulsivity in other forms of ADHD.
The most frequent symptom of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They are more likely to be irritable and fidgety. Symptoms of this kind usually begin in childhood, and usually before the age of 12.
Before diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will examine whether your symptoms can be explained by another illness such as depression or anxiety disorder. He or she will also look at your family and health history and look for physical issues that could cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD like thyroid issues seizures, thyroid disorders or sleep disorders. private adhd testing will also want to know about your work schedule and social life. They might request your permission to talk to people you know well like coworkers and teachers, or obtain information from your medical or educational records.
Causes
Many adults are aware that there are a myriad of things that can cause symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity such as depression, anxiety, poor sleep habits, alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD can also be associated with these and other mental health disorders. It is essential that you or your child undergo a complete evaluation before you get a diagnosis of ADHD. This may include a physical examination as well as reviewing school records, speaking to caregivers and teachers as well as the use of standardized tests and questionnaires. The goal is to determine if a person is in compliance with ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been evident in a variety of settings (home, work and school) for at least six months. People up to age 16 need to consistently demonstrate at least six symptoms in either of the two main categories -- inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity -- and the symptoms must clearly interfere with functioning in at least two major life areas. The person's symptoms should not be explained by a learning disability or intellectual disability or mood disorder or medical condition such as a thyroid problem or brain tumor.
It is essential to find a health care professional who has experience in ADHD evaluations. Your child's school may have someone on staff, but you can also ask for referrals from family doctors or pediatricians with special training in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, a psychologist or psychiatrist, or a neurologist. The health care professional will go over the medical and mental health histories of your child or you, as well as check for indications of the disorder. This could include an eye examination, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Depending on the person, additional psychological and neuropsychological tests may be conducted to determine if the person has conditions that resemble or are co-occurring with ADHD such as depression, learning disabilities anxiety, bipolar disorder, or brain tumors. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a standardized test that examines brain wave patterns is often administered to people older than 6 years to determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step in managing your symptoms and improving your performance at home and at work is to get an assessment of ADHD. It can be overwhelming to know where to begin or even who to ask for a specialist to examine you or your child.
There are many different methods to diagnose ADHD however, the majority of professionals follow the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will go over all the symptoms you or your child is experiencing. They will also do an exhaustive interview using one of the standard ADHD rating scales. They will also typically conduct an assessment for other co-existing disorders such as mood disorders or learning disabilities.
They might look over your or your child's medical and family history, and may talk with others who know you well -like family members, teachers and employers. They may request old school records or other tests to determine if the symptoms have been present since childhood. They might suggest an examination for physical health or ask for a blood sample to rule out health problems.
Other tests could include a brain or neurological imaging examination, such as an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to determine other possible causes of the symptoms of your child or yourself, including a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain or a virus in the brain.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also suggest an EEG to determine the rate of electrical activity in the brain. EEGs reveal that people with ADHD have brain patterns that are faster than those of other people.
The symptoms are present in at least two settings (such as at home, school or work) for a minimum of six months. The symptoms are evident and disruptive to the person's life. They can affect the way that people function at work, school, and social situations. Symptoms have been present since before age 12, for children up to age 16; for adults, they should have symptoms that started in the earliest years of childhood. The symptoms aren't due to a medical condition or mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety.
Treatment
Medicines are often the first option doctors suggest for children suffering from ADHD. These drugs can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive and hyperactive behavior however they are not a cure for ADHD. In addition to taking prescription medication, many kids and their parents require other forms of therapy to control their symptoms. Therapy can include behavioral training and family education. Parents and children alike can benefit from learning how to communicate better with teachers and other staff members who can provide valuable information regarding the child's performance at school.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is geared towards diagnosing children, rather than adults. For adults, a doctor may ask about their health background, current mood and past experiences to determine if these triggers could be causing symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They will usually conduct a medical interview that is based on one of the most common ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is important, as some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. A health care provider might also look for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe that a comprehensive health history is the best method of determining if a person has ADHD. This includes information about the person's lifestyle, diet habits as well as family history of mental illness or substance abuse, as well as issues with school or work. A health professional is likely to be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have been present for and what other treatments have been attempted and what medications are being taken.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD use a mix of medications. Stimulant drugs are the most commonly prescribed for treating ADHD but nonstimulant medicines can be used in lieu of stimulants or with them to improve their effectiveness. These medications can interact with other drugs. It is crucial to inform your doctor of the medications you and your child are taking. It is common to test several different doses before finding the right one.