ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help identify possible ADHD symptoms however the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to see an experienced health professional. These professionals perform a physical exam and behavioral tests.
They may also wish to talk with family members and school officials. They might also want an opportunity to meet with your family members and school officials.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can cause problems at school and at work. The first step in getting treatment is to see a doctor assess your symptoms. Start by speaking to your primary health care provider or requesting a referral to a mental healthcare professional. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and family history, as well as your current symptoms. They may also ask about symptoms you had as when you were a child.
Having a hard time following instructions or keeping track of assignments at home and at work (e.g., misses appointments, fails to complete assignments, or misplaces things such as homework). Sometimes, they forget important tasks, such as paying bills or showing up for work. Doesn't remember chores or schoolwork around the house. It is common for people to lose track of conversations and misses details when listening or reading. Often loses focus or gets distracted during activities, especially ones that require close attention (e.g. lengthy reading, lectures or playing activities).
People with ADHD that is characterized by inattention are more likely forget things. This kind of ADHD is less noticeable than other kinds, which are characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The most frequent sign of both kinds of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They are also more likely to be unfocused or fidgety. These symptoms typically begin in childhood before the age of 12 years old.
Before determining if you have ADHD Your doctor will make sure that your symptoms are not more easily explained by another illness such as depression or anxiety. The doctor will review your family and health histories and look for physical problems that could trigger ADHD-like symptoms such as seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your provider will want to learn more about your work and social life. They may want to ask you for permission to speak with people you know well such as teachers and colleagues, or obtain information from educational or medical records.
Causes
Adults are aware that a variety of factors can lead to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, including depression, anxiety disorders and poor sleeping habits, alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often associated with these and other mental health disorders. It is crucial that you or your child gets a complete evaluation before you are given a diagnosis of ADHD. This may include a physical examination as well as reviewing school records, talking with caregivers and teachers and standardized 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 situations (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. In addition, a person should not have a more convincing explanation for the symptoms such as an intellectual disability, an intellectual disability, a mood disorder or medical condition like seizures, thyroid issues or a brain tumor.
You should seek out an expert in health care 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 specialist will review the medical and mental health histories of your child or you and look for signs of the disorder. This may include an eye exam, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Based on the individual depending on the person, additional neuropsychological and psychosocial tests can be performed to identify conditions that are similar to or are co-occurring with ADHD like depression, learning disabilities, bipolar disorder, anxiety or brain tumors. A standardized test called the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid is often employed in those who are and over to determine the brain wave patterns that are more frequent in people suffering from ADHD.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and getting greater efficiency at work and home. However, it can be difficult to know where to start, or even who to ask for recommendations for a professional to assess you or your child.
There are many different methods to diagnose ADHD, but most professionals follow the American Psychiatric Assn.'s guidelines for treating ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review all of the current symptoms you or your child is experiencing. They will also conduct a thorough interview based on one of the most common ADHD rating scales. They may also take tests to screen for co-existing conditions such as mood disorders or learning disabilities, too.
They may ask about your medical history and your family history and speak to people who know you, including your teachers, family members, and employers. They'll likely request old school records as well as other tests to determine whether symptoms have been present since childhood. They may recommend a physical exam or ask for a blood sample to rule out specific health issues.
Other tests may include a brain imaging exam such as 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, inflammation of the brain or a brain infection.
Additionally a psychiatrist or psychologist may recommend an EEG, which measures the speed of brain's electrical activity. People suffering from ADHD typically have higher brainwave patterns than others, which can be seen on an EEG.
The symptoms have been present for at least six months in two or more locations including home, school or work. Symptoms are noticeable and disrupt the person's daily life. They interfere with daily functioning at school, work and social settings. The symptoms must be present before the age of 12 for children, and up to 16 years old for adults. For children, it should have begun in the early years of childhood. The symptoms are not caused by another mental or medical health issue, such as depression or anxiety.
Treatment
For children who suffer from ADHD medications are usually the first choice of treatment suggested by doctors. These medications can help increase concentration and decrease hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but are not the only solution. Many children and parents require other types of therapy in addition to prescription drugs to treat their symptoms. Therapy can include behavioral training and family education. Parents and kids can also benefit from learning to better communicate with teachers and other school staff members, who can provide vital information regarding a child's progress in class.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is geared towards diagnosing children, rather than adults. For adults, a physician might ask about their medical history, current mood and past experiences to determine if these factors can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. They typically conduct a psychotherapy interview based on one of the standard ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is also vital, since certain medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. ADHD test for adults will typically also look for head injuries and other neurological problems.
Some experts believe that a comprehensive health history is the most effective method to determine if the person suffers from ADHD. This would include information on the person's lifestyle, dietary habits, family history of mental illness or substance abuse, as well as issues at school or at work. A health professional will probably also want to know the length of time the symptoms have been present for and what other treatments have been tried and what medications are being used.
The majority of people with ADHD are taking a mixture of medications. The most commonly prescribed medication to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant drugs may be used instead of stimulants, or in conjunction with them to increase their effectiveness. These medicines can interact with some other medications, which is why it is important to inform your doctor about all medications you or your child is taking. Several different doses of medication are often tested before the most appropriate one is identified.