ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help spot possible ADHD symptoms, but the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to see a health care professional. They usually use a combination of physical exams and behavioral testing.
They might also want to meet with family members and school officials. They may also want an opportunity to talk with your family members and school officials.
Symptoms
The signs of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of aspects of life, including at work and school. Having a doctor evaluate your symptoms is the first step towards receiving treatment and gaining control over your life. Start by speaking with your primary care provider or asking to be referred to a mental health professional. Your doctor will want to learn about your family and medical history and about your current symptoms. They may inquire about any symptoms you experienced as a child.
Not able to follow instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and at work (e.g. Misses appointments, fails to complete assignments, or loses things like homework). Frequently forgets important tasks, like paying bills or showing up to work. Doesn't remember chores or schoolwork around the house. Often loses the conversation and forgets particulars while reading or listening. It is common for people to lose focus or get side-tracked during activities, especially ones that require attention (e.g., long reading sessions, lectures or playing activities).
People with the predominantly inattention type of ADHD are more likely to have difficulty remembering things. This type of ADHD is not as noticeable as other kinds, which are marked by impulsivity and hyperactivity.
For those who suffer from both types of ADHD, the most common symptom is being easily distracted. They tend to be restless and fidgety. These symptoms typically begin in childhood, but before the age of 12 years old.
Before diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will check to see if your symptoms can be explained by another condition such as depression or an anxiety disorder. The doctor will look at your family and health histories and look for any physical issues that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD, like seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your doctor will want learn more about your work and social life. They may also ask your permission to talk with people you are familiar with, such as teachers and colleagues, or get information from your medical or school records.
Causes
Most adults know that there are a myriad of things that can trigger symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity like depression, anxiety and poor sleep habits and alcohol and drug use and learning disabilities. ADHD can also be associated with other mental health disorders. You or your child should undergo a thorough assessment prior to receiving an diagnosis of ADHD. This could include a physical examination, reviewing school records and talking with teachers and caretakers as well as doing regular tests and questionnaires. The aim is to determine that a person meets the criterion for ADHD as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been present in multiple settings (home as well as at work and school) for at least six month. 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 mood disorder or intellectual disability or a medical condition like thyroid issues or brain tumor.
You should seek out a healthcare professional with experience with 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 review the medical and psychiatric histories of your child or you and will also examine them for signs of the disorder. This could include an eye examination, blood pressure, and heartbeat.
Based on the individual, additional psychological and neuropsychological tests can be performed to identify conditions that look like or are co-occurring with ADHD like learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or brain tumors. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a test that is standardized that examines brain wave patterns is sometimes used on people who are older than 6 years old to determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step in addressing your symptoms and improving your functioning at home and at work is to get an assessment of ADHD. However, it can be difficult to know where to begin, or even whom to ask for a specialist to evaluate you or your child.
There are a variety of ways to diagnose ADHD however, the majority of professionals follow the American Psychiatric Association's clinical guidelines, which are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fiveth Edition (DSM-V). They will go over the symptoms that your child or you is experiencing. They will also conduct a thorough interview using one of the common ADHD rating scales. They usually will also conduct an examination for co-existing conditions such as mood disorders or learning disabilities too.
They might inquire about your medical history as well as your family history and speak to people who are familiar with you, such as your teachers, family members and employers. They'll likely request old school records as well as other tests to determine whether there have been any symptoms since childhood. They may recommend a physical exam or request a blood sample to rule out certain health problems.
Other tests may include a neurological or brain imaging exam, such as an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to identify other possible causes of your child's or your child's symptoms like thyroid issues, a tumor, brain inflammation or a neurological infection.
Additionally, a psychologist or psychiatrist might suggest an EEG which is a test to determine the speed of brain's electrical activity. People suffering from ADHD typically have higher brainwave patterns than other people, which can be observed on an EEG.
Symptoms that are present in at least two different settings (such as at home, school or work) for a minimum of six months. The symptoms are obvious and disrupt the person's life. They can affect the way that people function 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. It must have started in the early years of childhood. The symptoms are not due to another medical condition or mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
Medications are often the first thing doctors recommend to children with ADHD. These drugs can increase concentration and decrease the intensity and impulsive behavior of children, but are not the only solution. In addition to taking prescription medications children and their parents need other forms of therapy to control their symptoms. Therapy can include family education and behavioral training. Parents and children can benefit from learning to communicate more effectively with teachers and other staff members who can provide valuable information about the child's performance at 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 more geared towards diagnosing children than adults. A doctor might ask adults about their medical background, mood, as well as previous experiences to determine if these factors are causing symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They usually conduct an interview in a clinical setting using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is vital because certain medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid problems can trigger symptoms that resemble those of ADHD. A doctor will typically also look for head injuries as well as other neurological problems.
Some experts believe that a thorough health history is the most effective method to determine if someone has ADHD. This will include information on the person's lifestyle, dietary habits as well as family history of mental illness or substance abuse, as well as work or school issues. A health professional will probably also be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have been present as well as what other remedies have been attempted and what medications are being prescribed.
Most people with ADHD are prescribed a mixture of medications. The most common medication prescribed to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, ADHD test for adults may be used instead of stimulants, or in combination with them to boost their effectiveness. These medications may interact with other medications. It is crucial to tell your doctor what medicines you and your child are taking. It is common to try various doses before you find the one that is right for you.