ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help identify potential ADHD symptoms but the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to visit an expert in health care. They will use a combination of physical exam and behavioral tests.
They might ask for your child's or your own performance records and other information. They may also want an opportunity to meet with your family and school officials.
Symptoms
ADHD symptoms can cause problems at work and in school. The first step to get treatment is to have a doctor assess your symptoms. Begin by talking with your primary health care provider or requesting an appointment with a mental healthcare professional. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and family history and your current symptoms. He or she might be interested in the symptoms you had as when you were a child.
It is difficult to follow instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and at work (e.g. is late for appointments, does not complete assignments, or loses things like homework). Sometimes, they forget important tasks, such as paying the bills or showing up at work. Inadvertently forgets to track schoolwork or household chores. Sometimes, they lose the conversation and forgets particulars while reading or listening. Sometimes, one loses focus or is distracted during activities, particularly ones that require close attention (e.g., lectures, lengthy reading, or play activities).
People with the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD are more likely to struggle with remembering things. The symptoms of this type are not as obvious as hyperactivity and impulsivity that are seen in other forms of ADHD.
For those with both kinds of ADHD, the most common symptoms is being easily distracted. They tend to be irritable and fidgety. Symptoms of this kind usually begin in childhood, and usually before the age of 12.
Before determining whether you suffer from ADHD, your health care provider will ensure that your symptoms aren't better explained by another condition, such as anxiety or depression. They will also review your health and family history and look for physical problems that could trigger ADHD-like symptoms such as seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your doctor will also want to know about your work schedule and social life. They may want to ask you for permission to speak with people you are familiar with, like teachers and coworkers, or obtain information from your medical or educational records.
Causes
Adults are aware of the many causes of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as depression, anxiety disorders as well as poor sleeping habits, alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD also often co-occurs with these and other mental health issues. It is essential that you or your child receive a complete evaluation before you receive an diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical exam as well as reviewing school records, talking with teachers and caregivers as well as the use of standardized tests and questionnaires. The goal is to determine if someone meets the ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been present in multiple settings (home at work, school and home) for at least six months. 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 plausible explanation for the symptoms such as a learning disability, intellectual disability, mood disorder or a medical condition like seizures, thyroid issues or a brain tumor.
It is crucial to seek out a healthcare professional with 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. A health professional will go over the medical and psychiatric histories of your child or yourself and check for indications of the disorder. This may include an eye exam, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Additional psychological and neuropsychological tests could be administered depending on the individual's needs to determine for any conditions, such as learning disabilities or bipolar disorder. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a test that is standardized that analyzes brain wave patterns, is often administered to people older than six years old to determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
Diagnosis
Finding a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and achieving greater efficiency at home and work. But it can feel overwhelming to know where to start or even who to ask for recommendations for a specialist to evaluate you or your child.
There are a variety of ways to diagnose ADHD, but most professionals use the American Psychiatric Association’s clinical guidelines found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fiveth Edition (DSM-V). They will go over the current symptoms your child or you is experiencing. online adhd testing will also conduct a thorough interview using one of the common ADHD rating scales. They may also conduct a screening for other co-existing disorders, such as mood disorders or even learning disabilities.
They might ask about your medical history and your family history, and talk to people who are familiar with you, including your teachers, family members and employers. They'll likely seek out old school records and other tests to determine whether any health issues have been present since childhood. They might suggest the need for a physical exam or request the results of a blood test to rule out specific health problems.
Other tests could include a brain or neurological imaging exam, such as an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help determine other possible causes of your child's or your child's symptoms, including a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain or a virus in the brain.
In addition psychiatrists or psychologists might suggest an EEG, which measures the speed of brain's electrical activity. People suffering from ADHD often have faster brain wave patterns than other people, which can be seen on an EEG.
Symptoms that are present in at least two places (such as at home, school or work) for a minimum of six months. The symptoms are obvious and disrupt the person's daily life. They interfere with daily functioning at work, school and social situations. The symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 for children, and until 16 years old; for adults, it should have begun in childhood. The symptoms aren't due to a medical condition or mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
For children who suffer from ADHD medication is often the first treatment recommended by doctors. These drugs can help improve concentration and reduce the hyperactive and impulsive behavior of children however they are not the only solution for ADHD. In addition to taking prescription medication numerous children and their parents need different types of therapy to treat their symptoms. Therapy may include family education and behavioral training. Parents and children may also benefit from learning how to better communicate with teachers and other school staff, who can provide crucial information regarding a child's performance in class.
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, and previous experiences to determine if the factors can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They typically conduct a psychotherapy interview using one of the standard ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is important because some medical conditions, such as seizures or thyroid issues can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A health care provider might also look for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe that a complete health record is the best method to determine whether a person suffers from ADHD. This would include information about the person's lifestyle and eating habits, any family history of mental illness or substance abuse, work or school problems and other social issues that might affect behavior. A health care professional could also ask about the duration of symptoms, any other treatments and medications taken.
The majority of people with ADHD are taking a mixture of medication. The most commonly prescribed medication to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant medicines can be used in lieu of stimulants, or in combination with them to increase their effectiveness. These medications may interact with other medications, which is why it is essential to inform your doctor about all the medicines you or your child are taking. It is common to test various doses before settling on the right one.