ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help identify possible ADHD symptoms however the only way to make a diagnosis is to consult an experienced health professional. These professionals perform a physical exam and behavioral testing.
They may also want to talk with family members and school officials. They may also request an opportunity to meet with your family and school officials.
Symptoms
ADHD symptoms can cause problems at work and at school. The first step to get treatment is to consult a physician assess your symptoms. You can start by speaking to your primary care doctor or asking to be referred to an expert in mental health. Your doctor will inquire about your medical and family history, as well as your current symptoms. They might also ask about your symptoms when you were an infant.
It is difficult to follow instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and work (e.g. has missed appointments, fails to complete assignments, or is unable to locate things like homework). It is easy to forget important tasks like paying bills and presenting at work. It is easy to forget about homework or household chores at home. Listening or reading, he often loses his place in the conversation and is unaware of important details. Sometimes, one loses focus or is distracted during activities, particularly ones that require focus (e.g., lectures, lengthy reading, or playing activities).
People with the predominantly inattentional kind of ADHD are more likely to have trouble remembering things. The signs of this type are less apparent than hyperactivity and impulsivity that are seen in other types of ADHD.
The most prominent symptom of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They are also more likely to be irritable or fidgety. These signs usually begin in childhood before the age of 12 years old.
Before diagnosing you with ADHD, your doctor will ensure that your symptoms are not better explained by another condition, such as depression or anxiety. The doctor will also examine your family history and health and look for physical problems that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD, such as thyroid problems seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your doctor will also want to know about your job and your social life. They may want to ask you for permission to talk to those you know well such as teachers and colleagues or request information from medical or educational records.
Causes
Many adults are aware that there are a myriad of things that can trigger symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity such as depression, anxiety and poor sleep habits as well as alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often associated with go right here and others. You or your child should undergo a thorough evaluation before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical exam as well as reviewing school records, talking with teachers and caregivers as well as standardized tests and questionnaires. The aim is to determine if someone meets the ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been evident in a variety of settings (home at work, school and home) for at least six month. 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 attributed to an mood disorder or intellectual disability or a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or brain tumor.
It is important that you locate a medical 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 specialist will review your or your child's medical and mental history, and also check for indications of the disorder such as an eye exam blood pressure, heart rate.
Additional neuropsychological and psychological tests can be conducted based on the individual's needs to determine for signs of conditions like bipolar disorder or learning difficulties. A standardized test called the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid is often used by people who are 6 and over to determine the patterns of brain waves that tend to be higher in people with ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step in managing your symptoms and improving your functioning at home and at work is to receive an assessment of ADHD. It isn't easy to determine which direction to take or who to ask for suggestions for a specialist who can evaluate your child or yourself.
There are a myriad of ways to determine ADHD, but most professionals use the American Psychiatric Association's clinical guidelines, which are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will discuss all the symptoms that you or your child is experiencing. They will also do an exhaustive interview using one of the standard ADHD rating scales. They usually will also conduct tests to screen for other coexisting conditions like mood disorders or learning disabilities, too.
They may look at your or your child's medical and family histories and also speak to others who know you well- such as family members, teachers and employers. They will likely request old school records and other tests to determine whether there have been any symptoms since childhood. They may recommend an examination for physical health or request a blood test to rule out specific health problems.
Other tests may include a brain or neurological imaging examination, such as an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help identify other possible causes for your or your child’s symptoms, including a tumor or thyroid problem, brain inflammation, or a brain virus.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can also recommend an EEG to assess the speed of electrical activity in the brain. People suffering from ADHD typically have more rapid brain wave patterns than other people, which can be observed on an EEG.
Symptoms that are present in at least two settings (such as at home, school or work) for a minimum of six months. Symptoms are noticeable and disruptive to the person's daily life. They can affect the way that people function at school, work and social situations. They have been a problem since before age 12, for children up to age 16; in adults, they must have symptoms that first manifested in the early years of childhood. The symptoms are not caused by a mental or medical health issue, such as depression or anxiety.
Treatment
Medications are often the first option doctors suggest for children with ADHD. These drugs can increase concentration and decrease the impulsive and hyperactive behavior however they are not the only solution. Parents and children often require other forms of therapy in addition to prescription medication to manage their symptoms. Therapy may include training for behavior and family education. Parents and children can benefit from learning how to communicate better with teachers and other school personnel, who can provide crucial information about a child's performance in school.
Finding adults suffering from ADHD is more difficult, as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V) symptoms guide is more geared towards diagnosing children rather than adults. A doctor may ask adults about their health background, mood, and previous experiences to determine if any of these factors can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They will often perform a clinical interview using one of the standard ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is important, as some medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A doctor may also check for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe that a complete health record is the most effective method of determining if a person has ADHD. This includes information about the person's lifestyle and eating habits, any family history of addiction or mental illness issues at school or at work and other social issues that may affect behavior. A health care professional will probably also be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have existed as well as what other remedies have been tried and what medicines are being prescribed.
Most people with ADHD use a mix of medications. Stimulant medications are the most frequently prescribed for treating ADHD however, nonstimulant drugs can be used in lieu of stimulants or in combination with them to improve their effectiveness. These medications can interact with other drugs. It's important that you inform your doctor of the medications you and your child are taking. Several different dosages of medication are usually tested before the best one is found.
