ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools may help determine if you have ADHD symptoms. However the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis is to visit an expert in health care. These professionals use a combination physical exam and behavioral testing.
They may request to see your or your child's performance records and other information. private test for adhd might also want to speak with family members or school officials.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can lead to problems at work and at school. A visit to a doctor to assess your symptoms is the first step in receiving treatment and gaining control over your life. Start by speaking to your primary health care provider or asking for a referral to an expert in mental health. Your doctor will want to learn about your family and medical history as well as your current symptoms. He or she might also ask about symptoms you had as an infant.
Not able to follow instructions or keeping track of tasks at home and at work (e.g. Misses appointments, fails to finish assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Sometimes, they forget important tasks, like paying bills or showing up to work. It is easy to forget about homework or household chores. Often loses the conversation and forgets particulars while reading or listening. Sometimes, one loses focus or is distracted during activities, especially ones that require attention (e.g. lengthy reading, lectures, or playing activities).
People who suffer from the predominantly inattentional type of ADHD are more likely to have difficulty remembering things. This type of ADHD is less noticeable than other kinds, which are characterized by impulsivity and hyperactivity.
The most prominent characteristic of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They tend to be restless and fidgety. Symptoms of this kind usually begin in childhood, and usually before the age of 12.
Before diagnosing you with ADHD Your healthcare provider will ensure that your symptoms are not more easily explained by another illness, such as depression or anxiety. They will also look at your family and health histories and look for any physical conditions that may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD, like thyroid disorders, seizure disorders, or sleep disorders. Your provider will want to learn more about your work and social life. He or she might want to ask you for permission to talk to those you know well like coworkers and teachers or get information from medical or educational records.
Causes
The majority of adults are aware that there are many things that can cause symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as anxiety, depression and poor sleep habits, alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often a co-occurring disorder with these and other mental disorders. It is crucial that you or your child gets a complete evaluation before you are given an diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical examination, reviewing school records, speaking to caregivers and teachers and also standard tests and questionnaires. The goal is to determine if a person meets ADHD criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms must have been evident in multiple environments (home as well as at work and school) 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, the person cannot have a plausible explanation for the symptoms, such as a learning disability, intellectual disability, mood disorder or medical condition such as seizures, thyroid problems or a brain tumor.
You should seek out a health professional who has experience with 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 history of your child or you and will also examine them for indications of the disorder. This could include an eye examination, blood pressure and heartbeat.
Based on the individual depending on the individual, additional neuropsychological and psychological tests may be conducted to determine if the person has conditions that look like or are co-occurring with ADHD such as learning disabilities, depression or anxiety, bipolar disorder, or brain tumors. The Neuropsychiatric Assessment Aid, a test that is standardized that analyzes brain wave patterns, is sometimes administered to those who are older than 6 years old to determine if they are suffering from ADHD.
Diagnosis
The first step to manage your symptoms and improving your functioning at home and at work is to obtain an assessment of ADHD. It isn't easy to determine which direction to take or who to contact for recommendations on a specialist to examine your child or yourself.
There are many different methods to diagnose ADHD however, the majority of professionals follow the American Psychiatric Association's clinical guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will go over the current symptoms that your child or you are experiencing. They will also conduct an extensive interview based on one of the common ADHD rating scales. They may also conduct an examination for co-existing disorders, such as mood disorders, or even learning disabilities.
They might inquire 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 will likely request old school records as well as other tests to determine whether any health issues have been present since the time of your child's birth. They might recommend a physical exam or ask for the blood sample to rule out health problems.
Other testing may include a neurological or brain imaging test, like an MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to determine other possible causes of your or your child’s symptoms which could be due to a tumor, thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain, or a brain virus.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can also recommend an EEG to measure the speed of brain activity. People with ADHD often have faster brain wave patterns than other people, and this can be observed on an EEG.
Symptoms that are present in at least two places (such as at school, home or at work) for a minimum of six months. The symptoms are obvious and disruptive to the person's life. They can affect the way that people function at work, school, and social settings. The symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 for children, and until 16 years old; for adults, it must have started in childhood. The symptoms are not due to any other medical condition or mental health disorder like anxiety or depression.
Treatment
For children who suffer from ADHD medication is typically the first option recommended by doctors. These drugs can improve concentration and reduce the impulsive and hyperactive behavior, but are not an effective cure. Many children and parents require other forms of therapy in addition to prescription medications to treat their symptoms. Therapy can include behavioral training and family education. Parents and children can benefit from learning to communicate better with teachers and other school staff members, who can provide vital information about the child's performance in school.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is more geared toward diagnosing children, rather than adults. A doctor can inquire about their health history, mood, and past experiences in order to determine if any of these factors are causing symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They usually conduct an interview in a clinical setting using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales.
A physical exam is vital because certain medical conditions, such as seizures or thyroid issues can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A health care provider will usually also check for head injuries as well as other neurological problems.
Many experts believe that a comprehensive health history is the best method to determine whether a person suffers from ADHD. This includes information about the person's lifestyle, diet habits, family history of mental illness or substance abuse, as well as work or school issues. A health care professional is likely to be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have existed, what else has been tried and what medicines are being taken.
The majority of people with ADHD take a combination of medications. Stimulant medications are the most frequently prescribed for treating ADHD however, nonstimulant drugs can be used in place of stimulants, or in conjunction with them to improve their effectiveness. These medicines can interact with some other medications, so it is important to inform your doctor about all the medicines you or your child is taking. Different dosages of medication are usually tested before the most appropriate one is determined.