ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools may help identify possible ADHD symptoms. However, the only way to obtain an assessment is to visit the health professional. These professionals typically use a combination of physical exams and behavioral tests.
They may also want to talk with family members and school officials. They might also want a chance to speak with your family and school officials.
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The signs of ADHD can create problems in a variety of aspects of life such as at school and at work. Examining your symptoms is the first step towards receiving treatment and gaining control over your life. Begin by talking to your primary health care provider or asking for a referral to an expert in mental health. Your doctor will inquire about your family history and medical history as well as your current symptoms. They may also ask about your symptoms when you were an infant.
Not able to follow instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and at work (e.g. Misses appointments, fails to complete assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Frequently forgets important tasks, like paying bills or showing up for work. Forgets about chores or schoolwork around the home. Listening or reading frequently, he loses the flow of conversation and is unaware of important details. Often loses track of conversations and is unable to recall details while reading or listening.
People who have the most inattentional kind of ADHD are more likely to struggle with remembering things. The symptoms of this type are less obvious than the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are seen in other forms of ADHD.
The most common characteristic of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They are more likely to be fidgety and restless. These signs usually begin in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12 years old.
Before determining if you have ADHD Your healthcare provider will make sure that your symptoms are not more likely to be explained by another condition, such as depression or anxiety. They will also look at your health and family history and look for physical issues that could cause ADHD-like symptoms like thyroid issues seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your doctor will want learn more about your work and social life. They may also ask your permission to talk with people who are familiar with you like teachers and colleagues, or get details from medical or school records.
Causes
Adults are aware that a variety of factors can lead to inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These include anxiety disorders, depression and poor sleeping habits, drug and alcohol abuse, and learning disabilities. ADHD also often co-occurs with these and other mental health disorders. It is essential that you or your child gets an entire evaluation before you receive an diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical exam, reviewing school records, talking to teachers and caregivers and standard tests and questionnaires. The goal is to determine if a person meets ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been evident in multiple environments (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. In addition, the person cannot have a more convincing explanation for the symptoms such as a learning disability, intellectual disability, mood disorder or medical condition such as seizures, thyroid issues or brain tumors.
You should seek out a health professional who has expertise 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 review the medical and psychiatric histories of your child or yourself and examine them for symptoms of the disorder. This could include an eye examination, blood pressure, and heartbeat.
Other tests for neuropsychology and psychological testing could be administered depending on the individual to check for signs of conditions like bipolar disorder or learning difficulties. A test that is standardized, called the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid is often used in people aged 6 and over to assess the patterns of brain waves that are more frequent in people with ADHD.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and getting greater efficiency at work and at home. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, or even who to ask for a professional to assess you or your child.
There are many ways to determine ADHD however, the majority of professionals use the American Psychiatric Association's clinical guidelines found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fiveth Edition (DSM-V). They will go over all of the current symptoms you or your child are experiencing. They will also conduct an extensive interview based on one of the most common ADHD rating scales. They will also usually perform an assessment for other co-existing disorders such as mood disorders or learning disabilities.
They may ask about your medical history and your family history, and talk to people who know you, like your teachers, family members, and employers. They may request old school records or other tests to determine if symptoms were present in childhood. They may recommend the need for a physical exam or request an analysis of blood to rule out specific health problems.
Other tests may include a neurological or brain imaging exam, such as an MRI or CT scan. These can help identify other possible causes for your or your child's symptoms like thyroid problems, tumors, brain inflammation or a neurological infection.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also suggest an EEG to determine the rate of electrical activity in the brain. EEGs indicate that those with ADHD have brain patterns that are faster than those of other people.
The symptoms are present in at least two different settings (such as at home, school or work) for at least six months. The symptoms are evident and disruptive to the person's life. These symptoms can affect a person's ability to perform at school, at work and in social situations. The symptoms have been present from the age of 12 for children as young as 16; for adults, they have to show symptoms that started in the earliest years of childhood. The symptoms are not related to a medical condition or mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
The first option doctors suggest for children suffering from ADHD. These drugs can improve concentration and reduce the intensity and impulsive behavior of children however they are not the only solution. In addition to taking prescription medication numerous children and their parents need different types of therapy to treat their symptoms. Therapy may include family education and behavior training. Parents and kids can also benefit from learning how to communicate with teachers and other school personnel, who can provide important information regarding a child's performance in class.
The process of diagnosing adults with ADHD is trickier, because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V) symptom guide is geared more towards diagnosing children than adults. A doctor might ask adults about their medical history, mood, and their past experiences to determine if any of these causes can trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD. They usually conduct a medical interview that is based on one of the standard ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is vital, since certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can cause symptoms similar to those that are common to ADHD. A healthcare professional may also check for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe a comprehensive health history is the best method of determining whether someone has ADHD. This includes information about the person's life style, eating habits, family history of mental illness, substance abuse and issues at school or at work. A health care provider will likely want to know how long the symptoms have been present for as well as what other remedies have been attempted and what medications are being prescribed.
The majority of people with ADHD are taking a mixture of medications. The most frequently prescribed medication to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant drugs could be used in place of stimulants, or in combination with them to increase their effectiveness. These medications may interact with other medications, and it is important to inform your doctor about all the medications you or your child are taking. It is common to test various doses before settling on the right one.