ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools may help determine if you have ADHD symptoms. However, the only way to get an assessment is to visit a health care provider. These professionals typically use the combination of physical examinations and behavioral testing.
They may request to see your child's or yours's performance records as well as other data. They may also want an opportunity to talk with your family and school officials.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life such as at school and at work. Examining your symptoms is the first step towards getting treatment and gaining control over your life. Begin by talking with your primary health care provider or asking for the referral of a mental healthcare professional. Your doctor will want to inquire about your family history and medical history and about your current symptoms. He or she might be interested in the symptoms you experienced as when you were a child.
It is difficult to follow instructions or keeping track of tasks both at home and at work (e.g. is late for appointments, doesn't complete assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Many times, people forget important tasks like paying bills or showing up to work. Inadvertently forgets to track schoolwork or household chores. Reading or listening and losing track of the conversation and is unaware of important details. It is common for people to lose track of conversations and is unable to recall details when listening or reading.
People with the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD are more likely to struggle with remembering things. This kind of ADHD is less noticeable than other types, which are characterized by impulsivity and hyperactivity.
For people who have both kinds of ADHD, the most common symptoms is being easily distracted. They tend to be irritable and fidgety. These symptoms usually start in childhood before the age of 12 years old.
Before diagnosing you with ADHD, your health care provider will make sure that your symptoms aren't more easily explained by another illness, such as anxiety or depression. He or she will also examine your health and family history and look for any physical conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid issues seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your provider will want to learn more about your job and social life. They may also seek your permission to speak with people who know you well like teachers and coworkers, or get details from medical or school records.
Causes
Many adults are aware that there are a myriad of things that can cause symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity like depression, anxiety, poor sleep habits and alcohol and drug use and learning disabilities. ADHD is often co-occurring with these mental disorders and others. It is essential that you or your child receive a complete evaluation before you get a diagnosis of ADHD. This means a physical exam or reviewing school records, talking with teachers and caretakers as well as doing regular tests and questionnaires. free adhd testing is to ensure that the person meets the criterion for ADHD as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
Symptoms must have been present for at least six months and must be consistent across a variety of 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. In addition, a person cannot have a plausible explanation for the symptoms such as an intellectual disability, an intellectual disability, mood disorder or a medical condition such as a thyroid problem, seizures 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. The health care specialist will review the medical and psychiatric histories of your child or yourself and will also examine them for symptoms of the disorder. This may include an eye exam, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Additional neuropsychological and psychological tests may be performed depending on the individual to check for signs of conditions like bipolar disorder or learning disabilities. A test that is standardized, called the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid can also be used by people who are 6 and over to assess brain wave patterns that tend to be higher in people with ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step in addressing your symptoms and improving your performance at work and home is to get an assessment of ADHD. It can be difficult to know where to begin or who to ask for recommendations on a specialist to evaluate your child or you.
There are many ways to be diagnosed with ADHD, but most professionals follow 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 is experiencing. They will also conduct a thorough interview using one of the most common ADHD rating scales. They will usually also perform a screening test for other coexisting conditions like mood disorders or learning disabilities, as well.
They might examine your or your child's medical and family histories and also speak to other people who know you well -- such as family members, teachers and employers. They will likely request old school records as well as other tests to determine whether any health issues have been present since childhood. They might suggest an examination for physical health or request a blood sample to rule out certain health issues.
Other tests may include a brain or neurological imaging test, like an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help identify other possible causes for your child's or your child's symptoms, including a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain, or a brain virus.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also recommend an EEG to measure the speed of brain activity. EEGs reveal that people with ADHD have brain wave patterns that are more rapid than other people.
There are symptoms that can be observed in at least two different settings (such as at school, home or at work) for at least six months. The symptoms are disruptive and noticeable to the person's everyday life. They can affect the way that people function at school, work and social settings. The symptoms have been present since the age of 12 for children ranging from 12 to 16; for adults, they should have symptoms that first manifested in the early years of childhood. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental or medical health issue like anxiety or depression.
Treatment
Medications are often the first thing doctors recommend for children suffering from ADHD. These medications can help improve concentration and reduce the intensity and impulsive behavior of children however they are not the only solution. In addition to taking prescription medications, many kids and their parents need other forms of therapy to control their symptoms. Therapy can include family education as well as behavioral training. Parents and children may also benefit from learning to communicate with teachers and other school staff members, who can provide vital information regarding a child's performance in class.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is more focused on diagnosing children than adults. For adults, a physician might ask about their medical history, current mood and past experiences to determine if these factors could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They may conduct an interview with a clinician using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is also important, as some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those that are common to ADHD. A health care provider may also check for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe that a complete health history is the most effective method to determine if the person suffers from ADHD. This would include information on the person's life style, eating habits and family history of mental illness, substance abuse and issues at school or at work. A health care professional will likely want to know the length of time the symptoms have existed, what else has been attempted and what medications are being used.
The majority of people with ADHD use a mix of medications. Stimulant drugs are the most frequently prescribed for treating ADHD but nonstimulant medicines are a good alternative to of stimulants or with them to increase effectiveness. These medicines can interact with some other medications, so it is essential to inform your doctor about all medicines you or your child are taking. Many different dosages of medication are usually tested before the most appropriate one is determined.