ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help detect possible ADHD symptoms but the only way to make a diagnosis is to visit an expert in health care. They will use a combination of physical exam and behavioral test.
They may also want to meet with family members and school officials. They may also request a chance to speak with your family and school officials.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can lead to problems at work and at school. Having a doctor evaluate your symptoms is the first step to receiving treatment and taking control over your life. Begin by speaking to your primary care physician or asking to be referred to a mental health professional. Your doctor will ask about your family and medical history, as well as your current symptoms. He or she might inquire about any symptoms you experienced as an infant.
Has trouble following instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and at work (e.g. is late for appointments, doesn't complete assignments, or loses things like homework). It is easy to forget important tasks like paying bills and arriving at work. Inadvertently forgets to track homework or household chores at home. When reading or listening and losing his place in the conversation and overlooks crucial details. Often loses track of conversations and misses details when listening or reading.
People who have the most inattention type of ADHD are more likely to struggle with remembering things. This type of ADHD is less apparent than other kinds, which are characterized by impulsivity and hyperactivity.
For those with both kinds of ADHD, the most common symptoms is being easily distracted. They are also more likely to be irritable or fidgety. The signs of this type typically begin in childhood, before the age of 12.
Before diagnosing you with ADHD, your doctor will ensure that your symptoms are not more likely to be explained by another condition such as anxiety or depression. The doctor will also review your family history and health and look for physical issues that could cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD like thyroid issues seizures, epilepsy disorders or sleep disorders. Your doctor will want learn more about your work and social life. They might seek your permission to speak with people who are familiar with you, such as teachers and coworkers or obtain information from your medical or school records.
Causes
Adults are aware that many factors can cause inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These include depression, anxiety disorders and poor sleeping habits, drug and alcohol abuse, and learning disabilities. ADHD is often a co-occurring disorder with these mental disorders and others. You or your child should undergo a thorough examination prior to receiving the diagnosis of ADHD. This means a physical exam, reviewing school records and talking with teachers and caretakers and completing standard tests and questionnaires. The aim is to determine if someone meets the ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
Symptoms must have been present for at least six months and must be consistent across several settings (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. In addition, the person cannot have a plausible explanation for the symptoms such as an intellectual disability, an intellectual disability, a mood disorder, or medical condition such as seizures, thyroid problems or a brain tumor.
It is crucial to seek out a healthcare expert who is experienced 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 care professional will review your child's medical and mental history, and also check for symptoms of the disorder, such as an eye exam blood pressure, heart rate.
Depending on the person, additional psychological and neuropsychological testing may be done to identify conditions that are similar to or are co-occurring with ADHD like depression, learning disabilities or bipolar disorder, anxiety, or a brain tumor. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a test that is standardized that analyzes brain wave patterns, is sometimes administered to those older than 6 years to determine if they suffer from ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step to manage your symptoms and improving your performance at home and at work is to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. It can be a challenge to determine which direction to take or who to consult for recommendations on a specialist to evaluate your child or you.
There are many different ways to be diagnosed with ADHD, but most 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 review all of the current symptoms that your child or you is experiencing. They will also do a thorough interview using one of the standard ADHD rating scales. They may also conduct an examination for co-existing disorders, such as mood disorders or even learning disabilities.
They may ask about your medical history and your family history, and talk to people who know you, such as your teachers, family members and employers. They'll likely seek out old school records and other tests to find out whether any health issues have been present since childhood. They may recommend a physical examination or request a blood test to rule out certain health problems.
Other tests could include a brain imaging examination, such as MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to determine other possible causes for the symptoms of your child or yourself such as a tumor or thyroid problem, brain inflammation or a virus in the brain.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also recommend an EEG to measure the speed of electrical activity in the brain. EEGs show that people who suffer from ADHD have brain wave patterns that are faster than other people.
There are symptoms that have been present for at minimum six months in two or more places, such as home and school or work. The symptoms are obvious and disrupt the person's daily life. The symptoms affect the person's ability to perform at school, work and in social situations. Click That Link must be present before the age of 12 for children and until 16 years old; for adults, it must have begun in childhood. The symptoms are not related to another medical condition or mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Treatment
For children with ADHD medications are usually the first choice of treatment suggested by doctors. These medications can aid in improving concentration and reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior however, they aren't a cure for ADHD. In addition to taking prescription medication numerous children and their parents require different types of therapy to treat their symptoms. Therapy may include training for behavior and family education. Children and parents can benefit from learning how to communicate more effectively with teachers and other staff members, who can provide valuable information about the child's performance at school.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is more geared toward diagnosing children, rather than adults. A doctor can inquire about their medical background, mood, and their past experiences to determine if any of these factors can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They typically conduct a clinical interview that is based on one of the most common ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is also crucial, as certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A doctor will typically also look for head injuries as well as other neurological problems.
Many experts believe that a comprehensive health record is the most effective method of determining whether a person suffers from ADHD. This will include details about the person's lifestyle and dietary habits, as well as any family history of substance abuse or mental illness issues at school or at work and other social issues that could influence behavior. A health care provider may also inquire about the duration of symptoms, other treatments and medications used.
Most people with ADHD are on a combination of medication. The most common medication prescribed to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant medications can be used in lieu of stimulants, or in combination with them to increase their effectiveness. These medications can interact with some other medications, so it is important to inform your doctor about all medications you or your child is taking. Many different dosages of medication are frequently tried before the right one is found.