ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is essential to keep in mind that a thorough evaluation of ADHD is necessary before starting any treatment. This should include an interview with the clinician as well as information from outside sources such as spouses or other family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom checklists and rating scales as well as standardized testing.
Experts may suggest speaking to your child's religious leaders, teachers as well as scouts, coaches or scouts. ADHD symptoms must be present from the beginning of childhood to be diagnosed at an adult age.
ADHD symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD are different based on age, but children with the condition often have trouble staying focused on their work or paying attention to people. They may fumble or blurt out answers when asked questions or interrupt others. They may also have trouble organizing, become easily bored and have a tough time waiting for their turn. Impulsive behavior is often characterized by getting involved in activities or running around without permission. They also may be at risk of using explosive excitement or anger as a way to get their attention, such as making others angry or playing pranks on them.
In an assessment, a doctor may employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine whether a child has ADHD. They may also request that the child's teachers complete rating scales. They can also conduct a neurodevelopmental or physical exam to identify any medical conditions that could cause symptoms of ADHD. These include mood disorders and thyroid issues.
The evaluator may also ask whether your child is suffering from any other mental disorders, such as conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, or anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your family background. For instance whether any other members of your family are suffering from ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle with managing their lives, which includes household and work obligations. They may also have issues working with family members or colleagues. Their symptoms can also cause them to be late for appointments or to not show up at social engagements. Their struggles at school can lead to an academic failure as well as 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 the patient as well as anyone who knows them well -- a spouse or parent for adults or a teacher, coach, nanny or coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them decide what tests, if necessary, can determine the cause of other conditions that can cause ADHD symptoms. Read Much more may also employ a checklist to determine the symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD involves several sessions with therapists and doctors. The diagnosis is determined by the presence of symptoms and their impact on the person's life. Making a proper diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms which can affect the family and work. The diagnosis is given by a healthcare professional who is specialized in ADHD and related disorders, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The doctor will discuss the patient's medical background and symptoms, as well as when they first started to notice. They might request the patient to keep a record of their symptoms and the impact on their lives. This is very helpful in getting an exact picture of the issue and assisting in determining what tests or evaluations are needed to determine whether ADHD is the reason behind the symptoms.
In addition to observing how the person performs in different situations, the doctor may utilize questionnaires to evaluate the symptoms. The doctor might use questionnaires for parents and teachers to evaluate children, and an interview with the patient to identify the signs. 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 may also perform an examination to ensure there isn't a physical condition, such as thyroid problems or seizures, that could be the cause of the problem. Other tests are also available to screen other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, the doctor might order brain scans in order to rule out possible causes of the symptoms. These tests, which aren't commonly used to diagnose ADHD but are a helpful test when other diagnostic procedures have been cleared.
If you or your child thinks they might have ADHD or other disorders, it is best to consult your primary physician. If the patient does not have a primary doctor and is looking for a referral to their insurance provider to request an inventory of health professionals who are trained to conduct an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can tell if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental condition. An extensive evaluation could include an interview with the child and parents and rating scales to compare the behavior of those with and without ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of ADHD, including thyroid problems seizures, head injuries and seizures. It may be necessary to conduct an exam for physical symptoms to rule out the presence of these illnesses. A psychological exam will be required to determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or a different mental health issue, such as anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a major impact on work, school and relationships. The person who is being evaluated should be able to discuss the issues they are experiencing candidly and honestly with the examiner and not be hesitant out of shame or fear of being judged. They should explain the symptoms in as much detail as they can, including how they impact their lives at home and at school. Parents should be involved in the assessment, but they shouldn't make the decision to administer medication to their child.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the condition that is causing it the symptoms and the 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 responsible for attention and behavior. These medications may come in the form of tablets with immediate release or modified-release tablets that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other treatments for ADHD include marital and family therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment that teaches specific strategies to change negative behavior to positive ones. These treatments can be beneficial to adults suffering from ADHD as well as occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important aspect is the follow-up. There should be regular meetings to evaluate the progress and decide on next steps. Parents should be encouraged to include 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 environments and provide a more complete picture of the child's functioning.
Medication
There are many different drugs used to treat ADHD. The most commonly used are stimulants, which function by increasing activity in certain brain regions that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant for adults, teenagers and children older than 5 years old. Highly recommended Internet page is a tablet form, usually 2 to 3 times a day. It comes in immediate-release (short acting) or extended-release versions (taken once a day but released throughout the entire day).
Many people report that their symptoms and impairment significantly improve after a period of medication. These effects are usually seen in the home, school, and social environments. The effect of these influences on performance is assessed by using one or more standard ratings scales that measure the behavior of an individual to others. The scores of these rating forms are not considered to be diagnostic in themselves however they are important sources of information in the evaluation process.
In addition to medication, there are also non-medicated treatments for ADHD that include behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents attend training on behavior management prior to attempting medication for their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy and classroom-based interventions be included in the treatment plan of 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 which are repeated actions or sounds, such as eye blinking, or throat clearing. ADHD medication can cause a slight slowdown in growth for certain teenagers and children, but it is usually minor and doesn't affect their final height.
These medications have the potential for addiction and abuse, but studies show that this is not a significant risk at the doses prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain teens and children with ADHD are more prone for addiction issues however, this is due to the disorder and not the medication.
A potential adverse result of ADHD medication includes the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A recent study revealed that people who took stimulant medication for ADHD were more likely of developing CVD than those who did not take the medication. Researchers analyzed data from 278 027 individuals comprising 10 388 people who suffer from ADHD. They compared the participants with 51 672 healthy controls without ADHD. The participants were monitored for 14 years.