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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment

ADHD Assessment and Treatment Before beginning any treatment it is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of ADHD This should include a doctor interview additional information from sources like a spouse or family member DSM5 ADD symptom scales and checklists as well as standardized tests Experts might also review your childs school record and speak with teachers religious or scout coaches or leaders ADHD symptoms must be evident from childhood to be diagnosed at an adult age ADHD symptoms ADHD symptoms vary depending on age but many children with this condition have difficulty focusing or paying attention They might fidget or mutter answers to questions or interrupt other people They also might struggle with organization skills are easily bored and find it difficult to wait their turn Some signs of impulsive behavior include involving themselves in activities without permission running around or climbing up places they arent allowed to go They could also be inclined to using extreme excitement or anger to excite themselves for example through causing others to be angry or pulling off pranks In an assessment a doctor may utilize questionnaires or interviews to determine whether the child is suffering from ADHD They can also ask teachers to complete rating scales They can also conduct a physical or neurodevelopmental exam to detect possible medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD such as thyroid disorders or mood disorders The evaluator will also want to determine if your child suffers from any other mental health problems such as oppositional defiant disorder anxiety disorders or conduct disorder They will also inquire about your family history for instance whether anyone else has ADHD or other psychiatric disorders Adults who suffer from ADHD have trouble managing their lives including work and home responsibilities They may also have trouble working with colleagues or family members The symptoms of these people can cause them to be late for appointments or to not attend social events The difficulties they face in school could result in an academic failure as well as poor job performance For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD they must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivityimpulsivity for at least six months Doctors will conduct an interview with the patient as well as someone who knows them very well This could be a spouse parent or teacher or coach nanny or a coach for children The information gathered will help the doctor determine which tests might exclude other conditions that are causing symptoms of ADHD They can also utilize a checklist to detect these symptoms among adults Diagnosis The process of diagnosing ADHD involves a series of appointments with therapists or doctors The diagnosis is according to the severity of the symptoms and how they affect the persons life A correct diagnosis is crucial to gain control over the symptoms that can hinder work and family life The diagnosis is made by a healthcare provider who is specialized in ADHD and related disorders such as a psychiatrist or psychologist The doctor will go over the patients medical history and symptoms and when they first appeared They might request that the patient keep a journal of their symptoms as well as their impact on their lives This can be very useful in gaining an accurate picture of the issue and helping to decide what tests or evaluations are required to determine if ADHD is the cause of the symptoms In addition to observing how a person functions in various settings the doctor will utilize questionnaires to evaluate the symptoms The doctor might utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to assess children and an interview with the patient to identify the symptoms The questions are often similar to those in the NIMH ADHD diagnostic criteria which help doctors identify whether a person is exhibiting hyperactiveimpulsive or inattentive symptoms Some doctors may also perform an exam to ensure there isnt any physical issue such as thyroid problems or seizures which could be the cause of the problem Other tests may be conducted to screen other conditions such as anxiety or depression Sometimes the doctor will order brain scans to help determine the cause of the symptoms These tests which arent routinely used to diagnose ADHD but could be a useful instrument when other tests for diagnosing the condition have been eliminated For adults who suspect they or their child may have ADHD the best place to begin is to talk to the primary doctor If the person does not have a primary doctor they can contact their insurance provider to request the list of health professionals who are certified to conduct an ADHD assessment Treatment options The first step in treating is an evaluation by a physician who can determine if symptoms are related to ADHD or another mental health issue A thorough assessment could include an interview with a parent and child as well as rating scales that compare the childs behavior with those of people without ADHD Many medical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD which include thyroid problems seizures and head injuries A physical exam may also be required to rule out these causes A psychological examination will also be required to determine if the symptoms are related to ADHD or a different mental health condition like anxiety Symptoms of ADHD can lead to significant impairment in school work and relationships The person being evaluated must be honest and open with the examiner about the problems theyre experiencing They shouldnt hide their feelings for fear of criticism or shame They should describe symptoms as accurately as is possible including the way they affect them at home and in school Parents should be involved in the evaluation process but they should not make the decision to medicate their child get adhd assessment of medication prescribed will depend on the childs age the condition that is leading to the symptoms and the kind of medication For example stimulants are typically used in teens and children to treat ADHD because they work by increasing activity in areas of the brain responsible for attention and behavior They are available in tablets with immediate release and modifiedrelease that release the medication gradually throughout the day Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD is available in tablet form Other treatment options for ADHD include marital and family therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment that teaches specific strategies to change negative behavior to positive ones Some adults who have ADHD might benefit from these treatments and also from occupational and educational accommodations The most important aspect is the followup It is essential to hold regular meetings to assess the progress and decide on next steps Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to participate in the process including Scout leaders or religious leaders They can provide valuable information on how the child behaves in various situations and offer a complete picture of the childs behavior Medication ADHD is treated with a variety of medications The most popular are stimulants which work by increasing activity in certain brain regions that control attention and behavior Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant in teens adults and children over five years old is the most popular It is taken in tablet form usually 2 to 3 times per day It comes in immediaterelease short acting or extendedrelease forms taken only once per day but released throughout the day Many people report that their symptoms and impairment significantly improve after a few weeks of medication These effects are typically observed in home school and social environments The impact on performance in these settings is assessed with one or more standardized rating scales that compare the behaviours of an individual to those of other people The scores of these forms of rating are not considered diagnostic by themselves however they are important sources of information when evaluating the process In addition to medications There are also nonmedicated treatments for ADHD that include behavioral therapy and training for teachers and parents The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents undergo training in managing their behavior prior to attempting medication on their children The guidelines also recommend psychotherapy and classroombased intervention to be part of the treatment plan 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 may develop tics that are repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking or clearing the throat Some teens and children who are taking ADHD medication might experience a slight decrease in their growth but this is typically not significant and does not impact their final height These medications have the potential to cause abuse and addiction but studies show that there is no significant risk at the doses prescribed to treat ADHD Certain adolescents and children who suffer from ADHD are more prone for problems with substance use but that is due to the disorder and not the medication A possible side result of ADHD medication is the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease A recent study showed that those who took stimulant medications for ADHD had a higher risk of developing CVD than others who didnt take the medications The researchers analyzed data from 278 027 individuals comprising 10 388 people who suffer from ADHD They compared them with 51 672 control participants without ADHD The participants were monitored for 14 years