ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help identify possible ADHD symptoms but the only way to confirm an accurate diagnosis is to see an expert in health care. These professionals perform a physical exam and behavioral testing.
They may request to see your child's or your own performance records and other information. They may also want to speak with family members or school officials.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can lead to problems at work and in school. A visit to a doctor to assess your symptoms is the first step in receiving treatment and taking control over your life. Begin by talking to your primary health care provider or requesting an appointment with a mental healthcare professional. Your doctor will know about your family and medical history as well as your current symptoms. He or she might also ask about symptoms you experienced 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). Frequently forgets important tasks, like paying bills or showing up to work. It is easy to forget about schoolwork or chores at home. Often loses the conversation and forgets particulars while reading or listening. Often loses focus or gets distracted during activities, particularly ones that require close attention (e.g., lectures, lengthy reading or play activities).
People with ADHD that is characterized by inattention are more likely to forget things. This kind of ADHD is less apparent than other types, which are characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity.
For people who have both kinds of ADHD, the most common sign is that they are easily distracted. They tend to be irritable and fidgety. These symptoms typically begin in childhood, before the age of 12.
Before diagnosing you with ADHD Your doctor will ensure that your symptoms aren't better explained by another condition, such as depression or anxiety. The doctor will review your health and family histories and look for any physical problems that could trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD, like seizures, thyroid disorders, or sleep disorders. Your doctor will want learn more about your job and social life. They may want to ask you for permission to speak with people you are familiar with, like teachers and coworkers or request information from medical or educational records.
Causes
Adults are aware that many factors can cause inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, including depression, anxiety disorders as well as poor sleeping habits, drug and alcohol abuse, and learning disabilities. ADHD is often co-occurring with these and other mental disorders. You or your child should undergo a thorough assessment prior to receiving the diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical exam, reviewing school records, talking with teachers and caregivers as well as standard tests and questionnaires. The goal is to ensure that a person meets the criteria for ADHD as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been evident in multiple environments (home at work, school and home) for at least six month. 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, the person should not have a plausible explanation for their symptoms such as a learning disability, an intellectual disability, a mood disorder or a medical condition such as seizures, thyroid problems or a brain tumor.
It is essential to locate a medical 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. The health specialist will review the medical and psychiatric histories of your child or yourself and check for indications of the disorder. This could include an eye examination, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Other tests for neuropsychology and psychological testing can be conducted based on the person to look for signs of conditions like learning disabilities or bipolar disorder. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a standardized test that examines brain wave patterns is sometimes administered to those older than six years old to determine if they have ADHD.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and getting greater efficiency at work and at home. It can be a challenge to determine where to start or who to ask for suggestions for a specialist who can evaluate you or your child.
There are many different ways to get diagnosed with ADHD however, the majority of professionals adhere to the American Psychiatric Association's clinical guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will go over 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 may also conduct an examination for co-existing disorders, such as mood disorders or learning disabilities.
They might look over your or your child's medical and family histories and also speak to other people who know you personallyfor example, family members, teachers and employers. They may seek out old school records and other tests to find out whether there have been any symptoms since the age of a child. They might recommend a physical exam or ask for a blood sample to rule out health problems.
adhd testing adults may include a neurological or brain imaging exam, such as an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to determine other possible causes of the symptoms of your child or yourself, including a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain or a virus in the brain.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also recommend an EEG to measure the speed of brain activity. People suffering from ADHD often have faster brain wave patterns than other people, and this can be observed on an EEG.
The symptoms have been present for at least six months in two or more places, such as home and work or school. The symptoms can be evident and disruptive to the individual's daily life. They interfere with daily functioning at work, school and social settings. The symptoms must have been present prior to 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 medical or mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
For children suffering 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, but they are not a cure for ADHD. Parents and children often require different types of therapy in addition to prescription medications to treat their symptoms. Therapy can include behavioral training and family education. Parents and children alike can benefit from learning to communicate better with teachers and other staff members who can provide important information regarding the child's performance at school.
The process of diagnosing adults with ADHD is more difficult, as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V) symptom guide is geared more towards diagnosing children rather than adults. A doctor may ask adults about their medical history, mood, and previous experiences to determine if these causes can trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD. They will usually conduct a psychotherapy interview based on one of the most common ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is vital, since certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. A healthcare professional will also be able to check for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe that a complete health record is the most effective method to determine whether a person suffers from ADHD. This includes details about the person's life and dietary habits, as well as any family history of substance abuse or mental illness issues at school or at work and other social issues that might affect behavior. A health care professional could also inquire about the duration of symptoms, any other treatments and medications that are prescribed.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are on a mix of medications. The most common medication prescribed to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant drugs may be used instead of stimulants, or in conjunction with them for increased effectiveness. These drugs can interact with other medications. It's important that you inform your doctor of the medications you and your child are taking. It is common to try various doses before settling on the best one.