ADHD Assessment and Treatment
Before beginning any treatment, it is essential to complete a full evaluation of ADHD. This includes an interview with a clinician and information from other sources like spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales, as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may also see your child's school records and speak to teachers as well as religious leaders, scout coaches or leaders. ADHD symptoms must be evident from childhood to be diagnosed at an adult age.
ADHD symptoms
ADHD symptoms differ based on age, but a lot of children with this condition are unable to focus or pay attention. They might fumble and mutter out answers to questions, or interrupt others. They may also have trouble organizing, become easily bored and have a difficult time waiting for their turn. Symptoms of impulsive behavior can include jumping into activities without permission, or running around or climbing up places they aren't allowed to go. They may also be prone to use exuberant emotions or anger to motivate their own egos, for example by making others mad or playing jokes.
In an assessment, a doctor might employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine whether the child is suffering from ADHD. They may also ask the child's teachers to complete rating scales. They can also conduct physical or neurodevelopmental tests to find any medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. This includes thyroid disorders and mood disorders.
The evaluator can also ask if your child suffers from any other mental disorder, such as conduct disorder as well as oppositional defiant syndrome and anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your family history, for instance, whether anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty managing their lives, including home and work responsibilities. They may also have trouble working with family members or coworkers. They may be late for appointments or not show up for social engagements due to their symptoms. Their academic issues can lead to a failure in 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 interview both the patient and someone who is familiar with them. This could include a spouse, parent, teacher or coach, nanny or a coach for children. The information gathered will help the doctor determine which, if any, tests might determine if other conditions cause symptoms of ADHD. They might also use a checklist to determine these symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of sessions with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is determined by the presence of symptoms and their impact on the person's life. Getting a correct diagnosis is essential to gaining control over the symptoms, which can affect the family and work. A healthcare provider who is an expert in ADHD such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist will be able to identify the problem.
The doctor will review the patient's medical history and symptoms, including a discussion of when they first appeared. They might request the patient to keep a diary of their symptoms and the impact on their lives. This can be extremely useful in obtaining an exact picture of the issue and assisting in determining what tests or evaluations are needed to determine if ADHD is the cause of the symptoms.
In addition to observing how a person functions in different settings, the doctor will employ questionnaires to determine the symptoms. This can include questionnaires to parents and teachers to assess 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.
Certain doctors may also conduct an exam to ensure that there's no physical condition such as thyroid problems or seizures, that could be causing the problem. Other tests can be done to check for other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Sometimes, the doctor may order brain scans in order to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't commonly used to diagnose ADHD, are a helpful test when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been ruled out.
If you are an adult who suspects that you or their child may have ADHD the best place to start is to talk to the primary doctor. If the patient doesn't have a primary physician or a primary care physician, they can ask their insurance company for an inventory of health professionals who are certified to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental condition. A thorough assessment could include a conversation with the child and a parent and rating scales to compare the behavior of those with and who do not have ADHD.
There are many medical conditions that can trigger symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. These include thyroid issues as well as head injuries and seizures. It may be necessary to conduct an examination for physical health to rule out any of these ailments. A psychological examination may be necessary to determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or some other mental health condition, such as anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a significant impact on school, work, and relationships. The person who is being evaluated should be able to 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 being judged. They should be able to describe the symptoms as accurately as is possible, including the way they affect them both at home and in school. Parents should be involved in evaluating their children, but not in the decision-making process.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the condition that is causing it the symptoms and the age of the child. For example, stimulants are typically prescribed to children and teens with ADHD. They help by stimulating brain activity in areas that regulate attention and behaviour. These medications are available as tablets that are immediate-release and modified-release that release the drug slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other types of treatment for ADHD could include family and marital counseling or cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches specific skills to change negative behaviors to positive ones. These treatments can be beneficial for some adults with ADHD, as well educational and occupational accommodations.
The most important aspect of treatment is follow-up by having regular meetings to review progress and decide on next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, including Scout and religious leaders in the process. These people can provide valuable information about how the child behaves in different settings and give a fuller picture of the child's behavior.
Medication
ADHD is treated with various medications. The most commonly used are stimulants, which work by increasing the activity in specific brain areas that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most frequently used stimulant for adults, teens and children over five years old is the most well-known. It is available in tablet form and is typically taken between 2 and 3 times per day. It is available in immediate release (short-acting), or extended-release (taken at least once per day in the morning and released throughout the day).
More Material report that their symptoms and impairments significantly improve after a period of medication. These effects can be seen in educational, social and home settings. The effect on performance in these environments is measured by using one or more standard rating scales that compare the behaviors of the individual with the behavior of others. The scores on these forms of rating are not considered to be diagnostic in themselves however they serve as important sources of objective information during the evaluation process.
In addition to medication in addition to medication, there are other non-medical treatments for ADHD which include behavior therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents attend training on behavioral management prior to trying medications for their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy as well as classroom-based interventions be included in the treatment plan for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
Most commonly, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some kids and teens who are taking stimulants may develop tics that are repetitive movements or sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Certain children and teens who are taking ADHD medication may notice a slight slowdown in their growth, however this is typically minor and does not affect their final height.
The stimulant drugs do have the potential to cause addiction and abuse, but research suggests that this is not a significant risk at the doses used to treat ADHD. Some kids and teens who suffer from ADHD are more prone for problems with substance use, but that is due to the disorder not the medication.
A possible side result of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent research found that people who use stimulant drugs to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who don't. Researchers examined data from 278 027 people, which included 10 388 who had ADHD. They compared the participants with 51 672 healthy controls without ADHD. The participants were monitored for 14 years.