click the up coming website page - The First Step to Diagnosing ADHD
The first step to take if you think your child or you may have ADHD is to set up an appointment for a diagnostic evaluation. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the only way to fully understand and treat the condition.
During the exam during the exam, your doctor might ask you questions regarding how your health has developed from your childhood. They might also employ symptoms checklists and scales for assessing behavior.
Signs and symptoms
To determine if someone has ADHD it is necessary to gather as much information as you can about the person. This might include getting a physical exam, gathering health and school records or interviewing family members teachers, coworkers, or other close friends. It is also essential to rule out any other conditions that can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD like thyroid problems, seizures and some kinds of anxiety disorders.
The doctor may be interested in knowing how the symptoms have affected the person's life and relationships. This could include asking questions like whether they have trouble finishing tasks or become easily distracted, if they often lose things, struggle with managing their time or are always being late for work or social events. For children, the physician may also ask about whether the symptoms began before age 12.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and some doctors are trained to diagnose ADHD in children and adults. They use standard diagnostic criteria, laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the symptoms meet the criteria needed for an ADHD diagnosis. The DSM-5 defines the main categories of ADHD as inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. To be diagnosed with ADHD the person must show at least six symptoms in one of the categories for a minimum of six months.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis for ADHD doesn't mean you are condemned. Many people with ADHD have mild symptoms, and they can learn to manage their symptoms through the use of medications, therapy and healthy lifestyle habits.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD is stimulant. It is available in a variety forms including tablets, chewable pills and liquids. A doctor will be able to prescribe the appropriate medication and dosage for the patient. They can also give tips on healthy lifestyles that will improve symptoms of ADHD like regular exercise or getting enough sleep. In some instances, non-stimulant medications such as antidepressants can be prescribed to treat ADHD.
Diagnosis
An ADHD screening test is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. The best way to determine whether you are suffering from ADHD is to schedule a medical evaluation with a mental health professional. A psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist are all qualified to perform an ADHD assessment.
Before making a diagnoses, your mental health professional will review American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines for the disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you or your child if symptoms have been present for at least six month. They will also look over your child's medical, psychiatric, and family background.
The person who is being evaluated could be asked for input from other sources, such as a spouse or other family members on their symptoms. This assists the mental healthcare professional get a complete picture of the individual's behavior and ADHD experience. The doctor will also interview the patient and use standardized ADHD behavior rating scales.
It is essential for a mental health professional to be aware that other disorders may cause ADHD symptoms. Therefore, they must exclude other disorders, such as seizures and thyroid disorders before determining if someone has ADHD.
In some instances, a mental health professional may suggest a physical examination. This is crucial for adults as certain medical conditions can produce the similar symptoms as ADHD.
Once the mental health professional has made the diagnosis they will explain the reasons why it is most likely caused by neurological issues such as hypothalamus hyperactive or inactive, genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as poor diet, alcohol abuse and stress.
The mental health professional will then discuss treatment options. For many people, the correct combination of treatments can help them manage their ADHD symptoms and live their lives to the maximum. Certain people can find accommodations at their workplaces and schools, such as the possibility of taking tests in private or take a longer break during class. This can make life much easier.
Treatment
Recognizing ADHD symptoms is the first step to control them. They can cause serious problems at work, school or at home. Treatment can include therapy and medication. Therapy can help someone improve their time management skills and devise strategies for improving their organization, such as daily planners or lists. Therapists can help teach social skills and emotional regulation. If a child has co-existing issues, like anxiety or depression, counseling could help with those as well.
The health care professional performing the examination will ask a series of questions and conduct a neuropsychological or psychological test. These tests evaluate a person's performance to those of people who are typical with similar age. They can determine if the person suffers from a learning impairment or other disorders that look similar to or coexist with ADHD. The specialist might provide the person with questionnaires and interview other adults, such as babysitters or teachers, in order to obtain a complete picture of the person's behavior, issues and routines.
For adults, health care professionals use the same criteria for diagnosing ADHD as they do for children: six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. The doctor may also look over old school records to determine if the person had problems as a child. Adults often have a hard remembering their difficulties in childhood, however, according to current guidelines for diagnosing the disorder cannot be diagnosed if symptoms did not occur often in more than one setting before the age of 12.
Before starting any treatment, the doctor might check to see whether any medical conditions could be causing or worsening the ADHD symptoms. These might include thyroid problems or seizures, which sometimes exhibit similar symptoms as ADHD. A medical examination may also include a vision or hearing test. The specialist may also conduct an emotional or psychological history, talk to the person's parents or other family members, and discuss the person's concerns at work or school.
Medication
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They increase the amount of neurotransmitters that regulate attention and movement. If stimulants are prescribed, research has shown that they decrease the chance of kids with ADHD abusing drugs and having other problems. It is essential to know that stimulants may cause adverse effects. They may cause a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, as well as heart or lung problems.
Doctors can also prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. They work slower than stimulants and are safer for people with certain health problems or cannot use stimulants due to undesirable side effects, such as anxiety or ringing in the ears or changes in vision or lung and heart function. They can also be helpful in treating tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome. Certain antidepressants, like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD. These drugs are not FDA approved for this purpose, and could interact negatively with stimulants.
Other kinds of medications -- including some that are used to treat high blood pressurealso have been proven to reduce symptoms of ADHD. They have not been studied as in depth as stimulants.
For adults, a combination of behavior therapy, medication and skills training is typically the most effective treatment. Adults who undergo this combination treatment feel more at ease with their symptoms and able manage these.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional to recommend a specialist if you suspect that you or someone else you know is suffering from symptoms of ADHD. You can also call a university-based hospital, medical or graduate school for recommendations, or consult your insurance company's list of specialists according to their specialties.
You can also take an assessment of your own to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. The American College of Psychiatrists' online Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is an easy-to-use checklist that can help determine whether you suffer from symptoms of ADHD.