ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help to determine if you have ADHD symptoms. However, the only way to obtain an accurate diagnosis is to visit an expert in health care. These professionals typically use a combination of physical exams and behavioral tests.
They might ask for your or your child's performance records and other history. They might also want a chance to speak with your family members and school officials.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can lead to problems at school and at work. The first step in obtaining treatment is to see a doctor assess your symptoms. Begin by speaking with your primary care physician or seeking referral to an expert in mental health. Your doctor will want to inquire about your family history and medical history and about your current symptoms. The doctor might also inquire about your symptoms when you were a child.
It is difficult to follow instructions, or keeping track of tasks both at home and at work (e.g. has missed appointments, fails to complete assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Forgets important tasks such as paying bills and showing up at work. It is easy to forget about schoolwork or household chores. When reading or listening frequently, he loses track of the conversation and is unaware of important details. It is common for people to lose the conversation and loses details while reading or listening.
People with ADHD that is characterized by inattention are more likely forget things. The signs of this type are less apparent than hyperactivity and impulsivity seen in other types of ADHD.
The most frequent symptom of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They tend to be restless and fidgety. These symptoms typically begin in childhood, but before the age of 12.
Before determining if you have ADHD Your doctor will ensure that your symptoms are not better explained by another condition like anxiety or depression. He or she will also review your family and health history and check for any physical issues that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD, such as thyroid problems, seizure disorders or sleep disorders. Your doctor will also want to know about your work schedule and social life. He or she may ask your permission to talk with people who know you well, such as teachers and coworkers or request details from medical or school records.
Causes
Many adults are aware that there are many things that can trigger symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity such as anxiety, depression and sleep issues as well as alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often associated with other mental health issues. Your child or you should undergo a thorough assessment prior to receiving the diagnosis of ADHD. This could include a physical examination or reviewing school records, talking to teachers and caregivers and also taking standardized tests and questionnaires. The aim is to make sure that a person meets the criteria for ADHD as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
Recommended Internet site must have been present for at least six months and must be consistent across several situations (home school, at home and at 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. The person's symptoms should not be attributed to an intellectual disability or mood disorder or a medical condition like thyroid problems or brain tumor.
It is essential to find a health care professional who has experience 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 specialist will review your or your child's medical and psychiatric history and look for signs of the disorder including an eye exam blood pressure, and heart rate.
Additional psychological and neuropsychological tests can be conducted based on the individual to check for conditions such as bipolar disorder or learning disabilities. A standardized test called the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid is also sometimes used in people aged 6 and older to measure the patterns of brain waves that are more frequent in those with ADHD.
Diagnosis
Finding a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and getting more efficient functioning at work and at home. It can be overwhelming to know where to begin or even whom to ask for a professional to assess you or your child.
There are a variety of ways to be diagnosed with ADHD however, the majority of professionals adhere to the American Psychiatric Association's guidelines for clinical care in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will discuss all the symptoms you or your child may be experiencing. They will also conduct an extensive interview using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales. They will usually also perform a screening test for other co-existing disorders like mood disorders or learning disabilities, too.
They might ask about your medical history and your family history. They may also talk to people who know you, such as your family, teachers, and employers. They may request old school records as well as other tests to determine whether any health issues have been present since the time of your child's birth. They may recommend the need for a physical exam or request a blood test to rule out certain health problems.
Other tests could include a brain imaging exam, such as MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to determine other possible causes of your child's or your child's symptoms such as a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain, or a brain virus.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also suggest an EEG to assess the speed of brain electrical activity. People suffering from ADHD tend to have faster brain wave patterns than others, which can be observed on an EEG.
Symptoms that have been present for at least six months in two or more locations, such as home and school or work. The symptoms can be disruptive and noticeable to the person's daily routine. They interfere with daily functioning at school, work and social settings. The symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 for children, and up to 16 years old for adults. For children, it must have begun in the early years of childhood. The symptoms are not due to a medical condition or mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
For children who suffer from ADHD, medication is usually the first choice of treatment suggested by doctors. These medications can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive and hyperactive behavior however they are not an effective treatment for ADHD. In addition to taking prescription drugs children and their parents require other forms of therapy to manage their symptoms. Therapy can include family education as well as behavioral training. Parents and children can benefit from learning to communicate more effectively with teachers and other staff members who can provide important information about the child's performance at school.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is more focused on diagnosing children rather than adults. For adults, a doctor might ask about their medical history, mood, and past experiences to see whether these triggers could be causing symptoms that resemble ADHD. They usually conduct a clinical interview based on one of the most common ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is crucial because certain medical conditions, like seizures or thyroid issues, can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A health care provider will often also check for head injuries as well as other neurological issues.
Some experts believe that a thorough health history is the most effective way to determine whether the person suffers from ADHD. This would include information on the person's life style, eating habits as well as family history of mental illness addiction, substance abuse, and work or school issues. A health care professional will probably also want to know how long the symptoms have been present and what other treatments have been tried and what medicines are being taken.
The majority of people with ADHD are taking a mixture of medications. Stimulant drugs are the most frequently prescribed for treating ADHD, but nonstimulant medications can be used in place of stimulants, or in conjunction with them to boost their effectiveness. These drugs can interact with other drugs. It's important that you inform your doctor about the medications you and your child are taking. It is common to try several different doses before finding the best one.