ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is essential to remember that a complete assessment of ADHD is required prior to beginning any treatment. This should include a doctor interview, information from other sources, like spouse or family members, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, and standard tests.
Experts might also review your child's school record and talk with teachers, religious or scout coaches or leaders. ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood in order to be recognized at an adult age.
ADHD symptoms
ADHD symptoms can vary based on age, however many children suffering from this disorder struggle to focus or pay attention. They may fidget, blurt out answers to questions, or interrupt others. They might also have issues with organization, get easily bored and have a tough waiting to be the next. adhd assessment glasgow of an impulsive person is defined as engaging in activities or rushing around without permission. They might also be inclined to use extreme excitement or anger as a way to get their attention, such as making others angry or playing pranks on them.
A doctor may utilize questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if a child is ADHD. Teachers may also be asked to complete ratings scales. They may also perform physical or neurodevelopmental tests to find any medical issues that could cause symptoms of ADHD. These include thyroid disorders and mood disorders.
The evaluator can also ask if your child suffers from any other mental disorders like conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, or anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your family background. For instance, if any other family members suffer from ADHD or other psychiatric disorders.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult time managing their lives, which includes household and work obligations. They may also have difficulty getting along with family members or coworkers. They may also be late to appointments or fail to show up for social occasions due to their ailments. Their academic difficulties can result in failure at school and poor job performance.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least six months. Doctors will conduct an interview with the patient as well as a person who is familiar with them. This could be a parent, spouse or teacher or coach, nanny or coach for children. The information provided by the doctor will help them decide which tests, if any are necessary, can identify other conditions that cause ADHD symptoms. They may also utilize a checklist to detect these symptoms among adults.
Diagnosis
The method of diagnosing ADHD involves a series appointments with doctors or therapists. The diagnosis is determined by the presence of symptoms and their impact on the person's life. A correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms that can hinder the family and work. The diagnosis is made by a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD like a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The doctor will go over the patient's medical history and symptoms, including a discussion of when they first appeared. The doctor might ask the patient for a diary detailing their symptoms and how they affect their lives. adhd assessment glasgow is a great way to gain a clear understanding of the issue, and also to determine which tests or evaluations are needed to determine whether ADHD is the cause.
In addition to observing how a person is functioning in various settings, the doctor will use questionnaires to assess the symptoms. This could include parent and teacher questionnaires to assess children for the disorder, as well as an interview with a patient to determine the symptoms they are experiencing. The questions are often similar to those in the NIMH ADHD diagnostic criteria, which help doctors identify whether a person is exhibiting hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive symptoms.
Some doctors may also perform an exam to ensure there isn't any physical issue that could cause thyroid problems or seizures, that could be the root of the issue. Other tests could be performed to screen for other conditions like depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, the doctor may order brain scans in order to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms. These tests, which aren't routinely used to diagnose ADHD but are a helpful tool when other diagnostic procedures have been cleared.
If you or your child thinks they might have ADHD, it is best to speak with your primary doctor. If the person does not have a primary care doctor, they should call their insurance company to request an inventory of health professionals in their area who are certified to perform an ADHD evaluation.
Treatment options
A doctor can determine if the symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental disorder. An extensive evaluation could include an interview with a child and parent and rating scales that evaluate the child's behavior with that of those without ADHD.
A variety of medical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD, including thyroid problems, seizures and head injuries. It might be necessary to undergo an exam for physical symptoms to rule out the presence of these ailments. A psychological exam may be needed to determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or some other mental health condition like anxiety.
The signs of ADHD can lead to significant impairment in work, school and relationships. The person being evaluated should discuss the problems they are experiencing in a candid and honest manner with the examiner and not be hesitant out of shame or fear of being judged. They should report symptoms as accurately as is possible and also how they affect them at home and in school. Parents should be included in the evaluation process but not in the decision-making process.
The kind of medication prescribed is based on the condition that is causing it the symptoms and the age of the child. For instance stimulants are often prescribed in teens and children to treat ADHD due to their effectiveness in increasing activity in areas of the brain that regulate attention and behavior. These medications may come in the form of tablets with immediate release or modified-release tablets that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD.
Other treatment options for ADHD include family and marital therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment, which teaches specific techniques to change negative behavior to positive ones. These therapies may be beneficial for some adults with ADHD, as well occupational and educational accommodations.
The most important part is the follow-up. There should be frequent meetings to review the progress and decide on the next steps. Parents should be encouraged to involve teachers and other professionals, like Scout leaders and religious leaders in the process. These experts can provide valuable advice about how children behave and function in different situations.
Medication
ADHD is treated using different medications. The most popular are stimulants, which function by increasing activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most widely used stimulant for teenagers, adults and children over age 5. It comes in tablet form and is typically taken 2 to 3 times a day. It is available in immediate release (short-acting), or extended-release (taken once a day in the morning, and released throughout the day).
Many people report that their symptoms and impairments dramatically improve after some time on medication. These effects are typically observed in home, school and social environments. The effect of these influences on performance is assessed by using one or more standard ratings scales that compare the performance of a person with other people. The scores on these forms of rating are not considered to be diagnostic in themselves, but they serve as important sources of objective information during the evaluation process.
There are a variety of non-medical treatment options for ADHD that include behavioral therapy and training of parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents attend training in the area of behavior management prior to trying medications on their children. The guidelines recommend that psychotherapy and classroom-based interventions should be included in the treatment plans for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some kids and teens who take stimulants can develop tics, which are repetitive actions or sounds, such as eye blinking, or clearing the throat. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for some teenagers and children, but it's usually minimal and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
The stimulant medications have the potential to trigger addiction and abuse, however research has shown that this is not a problem at the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the likelihood of substance abuse in some kids and teens however this isn't due to the medication.
Another potential negative consequence of ADHD medication is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research has found that those who take stimulant medication to treat ADHD have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who do not. Researchers analyzed data of 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 who had ADHD. They compared these individuals to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. The participants were monitored for 14 years.