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 experienced health professional. They will use a combination of physical exam and behavioral testing.
They may ask to see your or your child's performance records and other information. They may also want to speak with family members or school officials.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, including at school and work. The first step in obtaining treatment is to see a doctor assess your symptoms. Start by speaking with your primary care doctor or request to be referred to a mental health professional. Your doctor will inquire about your family and medical history and also your current symptoms. He or she might be interested in the symptoms you experienced as an infant.
Has a difficult time following instructions or managing tasks both at home and at work (e.g. has missed appointments, fails to complete assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Sometimes, they forget important tasks, such as paying the bills or showing up for work. It is easy to forget about homework or chores at home. It is common for people to lose track of conversations and misses specifics when reading or listening. It is common for people to lose focus or get distracted during activities, especially those that require focus (e.g., long reading sessions, lectures, or playing activities).
People with the predominantly inattention type of ADHD are more likely to have trouble remembering things. The signs of this type are not as obvious as hyperactivity and impulsivity seen in other forms of ADHD.
The most common symptom of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They are more likely to be irritable and fidgety. These symptoms typically start in childhood, but before age 12.
Before diagnosing ADHD, your doctor will check to see whether your symptoms can be explained by another condition such as depression or anxiety disorder. He or she will also review your health and family history and check for any physical problems that could trigger ADHD-like symptoms such as thyroid disorders, seizure disorders or sleep disorders. Your doctor will also be interested in knowing about your work and social life. He or she might want to ask you for permission to speak with people you know well such as teachers and colleagues or request information from medical or educational records.
Causes
Most adults know that there are a myriad of things that can cause symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity such as anxiety, depression and poor sleep habits and alcohol and drug use and learning disabilities. ADHD is often associated with these mental disorders and others. Your child or you must undergo a thorough evaluation before receiving an diagnosis of ADHD. This may include a physical examination and a review of school records, talking with teachers and caregivers and standard tests and questionnaires. The aim is to determine if a person is in compliance with ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been evident 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. A person's symptoms must also not be caused by a learning disability or mood disorder or intellectual disability or a medical condition such as thyroid problems or brain tumor.
It is crucial to find a health care 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 care professional will review your or your child's medical and mental history as well as look for signs of the disorder including an eye examination blood pressure, heart rate.
Additional neuropsychological and psychological tests may be performed depending on the person to look for conditions such as learning disabilities or bipolar disorder. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a test that is standardized that measures brain wave patterns, is often administered to people older than six years old to determine if they have ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step in addressing your symptoms and improving your functioning at work and home is to obtain an assessment of ADHD. It can be difficult to know where to start or who to contact for suggestions on a specialist to examine your child or you.
There are a variety of ways to get diagnosed with ADHD, but most professionals follow the American Psychiatric Assn.'s guidelines for treating ADHD 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 will usually also perform an examination for co-existing conditions such as mood disorders or learning disabilities too.
They might ask about your medical history and your family history, and talk to those who are familiar with you, like your teachers, family members and employers. They can request old school records or other tests to determine whether symptoms were present in childhood. They may recommend a physical exam or request a blood sample to rule out certain health issues.
Other tests may include a brain imaging exam like MRI or CT scan. These tests can help identify other possible causes for your or your child’s symptoms, including a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain, or a brain virus.
In addition psychiatrists or psychologists may recommend an EEG which is a test to determine the speed of the brain's electrical activity. People with ADHD often have faster brain wave patterns than others, which can be observed on an EEG.
There are symptoms that can be observed in at least two places (such as at school, home or at work) for a minimum of six months. The symptoms are obvious and can disrupt a person's life. These symptoms can affect a person's ability to perform at school, at work and in social settings. The symptoms have been present since the age of 12 for children as young as 16; for adults, they should have symptoms that started in the earliest years of childhood. The symptoms are not related to any other medical condition or mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression.
Treatment
For children with ADHD medication is usually the first choice of treatment suggested by doctors. These medications can help increase concentration and decrease hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but are not the only solution. Parents and children often require other forms of therapy in addition to prescription medications to manage their symptoms. Therapy can include family education and behavioral training. Children and parents can benefit from learning how to communicate more effectively with teachers and other staff members, who can provide valuable information regarding the child's performance at school.
adhd testing uk and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is geared towards diagnosing children, rather than adults. For adults, a doctor may ask about their health background, current mood, and previous experiences to determine if these factors could cause symptoms that look like ADHD. They usually conduct a clinical interview using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is vital because certain medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid problems, can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD. A doctor will usually also check for head injuries as well as other neurological issues.
Many experts believe that a comprehensive health history is the best method to determine whether someone has ADHD. This includes information about the person's lifestyle, diet habits, family history of mental illness addiction, substance abuse, and issues at school or at work. A health care provider may also inquire about the duration of symptoms, as well as other treatments and medications used.
Most people with ADHD take a combination of medications. The most common medication prescribed to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant medications could be used in place of stimulants, or in combination 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. Different dosages of medication are frequently tried before the right one is found.