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What is an ADHD Assessment? If you or your child exhibit symptoms of ADHD Your doctor will want to speak with you. The doctor might ask questions about your family and health history. He or she might also inquire about the schooling of your child. He or she may talk to teachers as well as religious and scout leaders, coaches, and other people who know your child well. Signs and symptoms If you or someone you know thinks they might have ADHD, the first step to get an assessment is to locate an expert in health care who has expertise in diagnosing ADHD. Ask your family doctor to refer you to someone who is an expert in the field of mental health for children. The person who examines you will ask about your symptoms and their impact on your life. They may also ask you questions regarding your health or work schedule, as well as school and social life. The examiner will need to look over any records you may have, including performance evaluations from your work or school as well as your old report cards. A thorough evaluation of ADHD will also include interviews with family members of the person, teachers, and other adults who interact with them. The examiner will use various questionnaires and rating systems to assess the person's ADHD as well as standard tests used in school evaluations. They will also ask you to provide examples of how you act in various situations. They will consider your behavior in relation to the DSM V criteria for ADHD hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The examiner will determine if the ADHD affects the person's daily activities. They will also consider whether their symptoms are significantly more severe than expected for their age or developmental stage. They will compare the symptoms of a particular person to those of others in similar situations. For example, their classmates at school or on a team. To be diagnosed with ADHD, the person must have a significant number of symptoms from both the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity sections of the criteria. The symptoms must also have led to significant impairments in at least two areas of their lives. For children, this could typically mean issues with their school work as well as their relationships with parents and siblings. Adults could lose their jobs when they are unable to pay attention or keeping track of their bills and paperwork. The evaluator may also talk to other people who know the person well, such as relatives and friends as well as religious or scout leaders. They will want to know how the person behaves in various situations, including at home and other places beyond school or work. Diagnosis You must show at least six traits (symptoms) that began before the age of 12. click the next page must also be suffering from these symptoms continuously for at least six months. The symptoms must also get hindering you from functioning effectively at work, school or at home. The symptoms can't be caused by a mental health disorder. Your doctor may refer you to an expert for an assessment. You can download a help letter from ADHD UK to give to your GP or print out quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines that explain why you should have an assessment. Your specialist will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. They will also ask about your family history and social background as well as your educational and work history. They may request your school records from the past, and they might be interested in interviewing teachers or others who know you from when you were a kid. The evaluator will try to rule out other possible explanations for your symptoms, and may recommend that you have neuropsychological testing or other diagnostic tests. A thorough assessment can take several hours. Adults may have to attend more than one visit with their doctor to complete the procedure. The evaluation will discuss the results with you, and may suggest treatment options that could help. You might have either the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD. Symptoms of the inattentive type are difficulty staying focused and paying attention and forgetfulness as well as poor organizational skills. People with the hyperactive/impulsive type are restless and fidgety, often interrupt conversations or activities, have a hard time waiting for their turn, and may use other people's things without permission. Certain adults with ADHD are unable to comprehend how their symptoms interfere with their lives and relationships. This can lead to financial problems and broken or strained marriages, and issues with parenting. During the assessment the clinician will talk with the ADHD person as well as their partner or spouse to learn how their problems affect the relationship. They might ask both of you fill out checklists that describe your symptoms. Treatment A psychiatric assessment for ADHD usually involves an interview with the person being evaluated and their caregivers, completion of questionnaires or rating scales that measure the behaviors of people with ADHD to those of people who don't have it, and standardized tests. For children, the evaluator may take a look at their school reports and request that teachers fill out questionnaires. People who suffer from ADHD should be prepared to talk about how their symptoms affect their work, home, and social life. Expect to be asked questions about how often you interrupt others, if you lose things easily, or if you are unable to finish tasks. The examiner wants to know if these symptoms were present throughout their entire lives or if they started in the early years of childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must have significant issues in at least two of the following areas: work, family life, school, or social relationships. Examples of this are being fired from a job, not passing in a class or not making payments on time. Mild ADHD symptoms can lead to some problems, but not major disruptions. Stress and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A mental health specialist or health care professional will evaluate the person’s mood, medical background and other factors in order to rule out the possibility of these. Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for ADHD. It helps patients learn more effective ways to manage their symptoms and develop better techniques for coping. It could include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people learn how to transform negative thinking into positive thoughts. It also helps reduce the effects of conditions that are underlying and mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from marital or couples therapy. It can help them comprehend their partner's perspective and improve their communication. It can also help their partner understand how to support and cope with someone with ADHD. Medication ADHD is defined by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Certain medications can help reduce the symptoms. These medications are often prescribed in combination with therapy and skills-training which can reduce symptoms and help people perform better at school, work at home, or even in their hobbies. It is not a cure-all and patients need to consult with their doctor in order to understand the best way to manage their ADHD symptoms. It could take several attempts to find the ideal combination of medication and dosages. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that there are many choices. An experienced specialist will interview the child, parent or adult about their experiences with ADHD with particular attention to the behaviors that happen in various situations, including at home and in school. They will also review the person's academic and occupational background and ask questions about their life as a family. They may request old report cards or performance assessments and may also contact the person's school. It is important to remember that to be diagnosed with ADHD the person's symptoms must have started in the earliest years of their life (technically, before age 12). Therefore, even though an expert will only speak about current symptoms when conducting an assessment of diagnosis it is likely that they will require the assistance of others who knew the individual as a child and may even interview the person's parents or teachers. Treatment for ADHD typically includes stimulants, which are believed to increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These medications are available in a variety of forms such as tablets, liquids and patches. The stimulants can cause adverse effects like trouble sleeping or agitation, as well as a loss of appetite, however they generally, they are safe when prescribed by a doctor. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine and certain antidepressants can also be used for ADHD. They generally have a slower effect and have less negative effects, however not everyone should be taking them. A combination of medications therapy, therapy, and behavioral modifications are the most effective method of treating ADHD symptoms. Adults and children may experiment with different medications and alter them according to their needs or as their circumstances change.