ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools may help determine if you have ADHD symptoms. However, the only way to get a diagnosis is by visiting a health care provider. They will use a combination of physical exam and behavioral test.
They may request to see your child's or your own performance records and other information. They might also wish to speak with family members or school officials.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas such as at school and at work. Having a doctor evaluate your symptoms is the first step towards receiving treatment and taking control over your life. You can start by speaking to your primary care doctor or seeking referral to a mental health professional. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and family history, as well as your current symptoms. They may be interested in the symptoms you experienced as an infant.
Not able to follow instructions or keeping track of assignments at home and at work (e.g., misses appointments, fails to complete assignments, or loses things such as homework). Inattention to important tasks, such as paying bills and showing up at work. Doesn't remember schoolwork or chores around the house. Often loses track of conversations and misses particulars while reading or listening. Often loses track of conversations and misses details when reading or listening.
People suffering from ADHD that is characterized by inattention are more likely to forget things. This type of ADHD is less noticeable than other types, which are characterized by impulsivity and hyperactivity.
For those who suffer from both kinds of ADHD The most frequent symptoms is being easily distracted. They are also more likely to be restless or fidgety. These symptoms typically begin in childhood before the age of 12 years old.
Before diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will determine whether your symptoms can be explained by another illness such as depression or an anxiety disorder. The doctor will look at your family and health histories and check for any physical problems that could trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD, like thyroid disorders, seizure disorders or sleep disorders. Your provider will want to learn more about your job and social life. He or she may ask your permission to talk with people who are familiar with you, such as teachers and co-workers or obtain information from your medical or school records.
Causes
Adults are aware that many factors can lead to hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. linked here include anxiety disorders, depression as well as poor sleeping habits, drug and alcohol abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often associated with other mental health disorders. It is important that you or your child gets an accurate assessment before you get an diagnosis of ADHD. This could include a physical examination as well as reviewing school records and talking with teachers and caretakers as well as doing regular tests and questionnaires. The aim is to determine if a person meets ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
Symptoms must have been present for at minimum six months, and must be consistent across different settings (home, school and work). 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. Additionally, a person cannot have a plausible explanation for the symptoms, such as an intellectual disability, an intellectual disability, mood disorder, or medical condition such as seizures, thyroid issues or a brain tumor.
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. A health professional will go over the medical and mental health histories of your child or yourself and look for symptoms of the disorder. This may include an eye exam, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Additional psychological and neuropsychological tests could be administered depending on the individual to check for any conditions, such as bipolar disorder or learning difficulties. A standard test known as the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid is also sometimes used in people aged 6 and older to measure brain wave patterns which tend to be more prominent in people suffering from ADHD.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and getting better functioning at work and home. However, it can be difficult to know where to begin or even who to ask for a professional to assess you or your child.
There are a variety of ways to determine ADHD However, most specialists use the American Psychiatric Society's clinical guidelines, which are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review all the symptoms you or your child may be experiencing. They will also conduct a thorough interview using one of the common ADHD rating scales. They may also conduct an assessment for other co-existing disorders such as mood disorders, or even learning disabilities.
They may ask about your medical history and your family history and speak to people who know you, such as your teachers, family members and employers. They'll likely request old school records and other tests to determine whether symptoms have been present since the time of your child's birth. They might suggest the need for a physical exam or request a blood test to rule out certain health issues.
Other testing may include a neurological or brain imaging test, like an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to determine other possible causes for your child's or your child's symptoms such as a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain or a brain virus.
Additionally psychiatrists or psychologists may recommend an EEG which is a test to determine the speed of brain's electrical activity. People suffering from ADHD tend to have higher brainwave patterns than others, which can be observed on an EEG.
There are symptoms that have been present for at minimum six months in two or more locations, such as home and school or work. Symptoms are noticeable and disrupt the person's daily life. These symptoms can affect a person's ability to perform at work, school and in social settings. The symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 for children, and until 16 years old for adults. For children, it must have begun in the early years of childhood. The symptoms are not caused by another mental or medical health issue like depression or anxiety.
Treatment
Medications are often the first thing doctors recommend to children suffering from ADHD. These medications can help improve concentration and reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but are not a cure. Many kids and parents require other forms of therapy in addition to prescription medications to manage their symptoms. Therapy can include family education and behavior training. Parents and children may also benefit from learning how to communicate with teachers and other school personnel, who can provide vital information about a child's performance in school.
Finding adults suffering from ADHD is trickier, because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) the symptom guide is geared more towards diagnosing children than adults. A doctor can inquire about their medical background, mood, and previous experiences to determine if these causes can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They may conduct an interview with a clinician using one of the standard ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is also vital because certain medical conditions, like seizure disorders or thyroid problems can trigger symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD. A health care provider will often also check for head injuries as well as other neurological problems.
Some experts believe that a complete health history is the best way of determining if a person has ADHD. This includes details about the person's lifestyle and dietary habits, any family history of substance abuse or mental illness issues at school or at work and other social issues that may affect behavior. A health care provider will probably also want to know the length of time the symptoms have been present for as well as what other remedies have been tried and what medications are being prescribed.
The majority of people with ADHD are prescribed a mixture of medications. The most common medication prescribed to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant medicines may be used instead of stimulants, or in combination with them to increase their effectiveness. These medicines can interact with some other medications, and it is important to inform your doctor about all medications you or your child are taking. Many different dosages of medication are usually tested before the best one is found.