How to Get Tested For ADHD
The first step to be checked for ADHD is scheduling an evaluation. This may include an interview with your evaluator and an examination of childhood experiences. It could also include an examination of symptoms.
The evaluator inquires whether your symptoms have affected your life at home, at school or socially. The evaluator also checks whether your symptoms have been present for six months or longer.
Diagnosis
If your child is prone to losing things or has difficulty keeping up with tasks at school, he may have symptoms of ADHD. If you suspect that your child has these traits then a professional evaluation is the first step to take. This evaluation takes place with an expert in health care or a mental health professional. The evaluation will include the review of your child's social and medical history. Parents or caregivers may be asked for information about the behavior of your child in various settings. This may include previous teachers as well as religious and scout leaders, coaches, or other family members.
The doctor will assess your child's symptoms to determine whether ADHD or another condition is the cause. Your child or adult should display a variety of symptoms that have been present since before the age of 12. The professional will want to know if the symptoms are affecting your child or adult's life in general and if they are not caused by depression or anxiety.
A child who has ADD has more than six signs of inattention however, they will not show excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD isn't as prevalent as the combination form of ADHD and is often ignored because parents often chalk it up to daydreaming. Adults suffering from ADD must show at least five symptoms of inattention before they can be diagnosed.
There are plenty of questionnaires available on the Internet that claim to help you detect ADHD but they should only be administered by a certified health care professional. These professionals can help you understand your symptoms and offer advice on strategies for dealing with the symptoms.
If you're an adult with undiagnosed ADHD, finding the right professional isn't easy. Consult your primary care physician for recommendations. You can also look up specialists on the Internet. You can also read reviews to ensure that the professionals are a good match for you. Find out if your insurance will cover the exam. It's possible that you can get an appointment from a family member or other professional in the field of mental health to help lower the cost of the evaluation and treatment.
Treatment
Many people with ADHD don't seek treatment, which could lead to serious consequences which include issues with personal relationships financial issues, addiction and problems at school. If you don't get treatment for it, ADHD can cause your life to become chaotic and uncontrollable. It's important to find a medical professional that specializes in adult ADHD assessments. Ask your primary physician to recommend you to a specialist or do a search on the internet. The majority of insurance plans have an inventory of doctors by specialization that can help you find an experienced health professional. You also can get recommendations from friends and family or read online reviews, and speak with people in support groups about who they have worked with.
When looking at adults for ADHD, the healthcare professional will look over your medical history and discuss your symptoms with you. adhd test for women will assess how your symptoms affect your work, home, and social interactions. They will ask about your symptoms from childhood, and they will interview you and other people who know you well. They may also perform neuropsychological tests or learning disability tests, based on your situation.
If your evaluator finds that you suffer from the inattentional type of ADHD, they will diagnose you with that diagnosis. This type of ADHD is characterized by difficulty in staying focused in a single area, ignoring details and being easily distracted. It is possible to not be diagnosed particularly in children, because they may be mistaken as daydreaming.
The evaluator could also suggest that you undergo physical or lab tests to rule out other conditions such as depression or eating disorders. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires and rating scales by the evaluation expert. They will also interview your partner or spouse when you're married or live together. This allows them to view your ADHD symptoms in a different way and helps you understand how they impact the relationship.
If you have an background of anxiety or depression, those symptoms must be assessed for their impact on your ADHD symptoms before making a diagnosis. Be aware that you may have a different mental health condition like depression or bipolar disorder, in the event that your symptoms aren't treated.
Signs and symptoms
You may be suffering from the inattentive form of ADHD if you have trouble at work or school, lose things often and have difficulty following directions, fumbling around or interrupt others, or are prone to overlook important tasks or make impulsive mistakes. For those with the hyperactive/impulsive type, their symptoms are even more prominent and include trouble waiting for their turn in conversations or games, squirming or moving around while they're supposed to be sitting still, blurting out answers before questions are asked and getting bored easily.
A professional assessment is the only way to know whether ADHD is causing problems in your life and to decide on the best treatment options for you. Many adults don't realize they have ADHD until after they seek help for other issues, including marital and financial difficulties depression, anxiety, or marital problems. The evaluation will examine your childhood, lifestyle and habits and will also test you for ADHD symptoms.
Your evaluator could ask you questions about your family history, your work or home environment and any mental health issues, alcohol and drug use and relationships with your spouse, children, and other family members. Your evaluator will also talk to your teachers and former teachers, religious leaders, scout leaders and coaches to learn more about your behavior.
The symptoms are assessed in a variety of settings and, to be diagnosed as having ADHD it must be the cause of significant impairment. Inattention is the most common symptom. You must exhibit six or more of the inattentive symptoms -- such as missing deadlines at school or work, being easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and having difficulty completing tasks, and often forgetting or losing things -- to be diagnosed with ADHD. If your symptoms are the hyperactive/impulsive type, you must have five or more of the hyperactivity-related symptoms -- such as fidgeting, squirming, interrupting and having trouble playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly -- to be diagnosed with ADD. If you have both types of symptoms your doctor will diagnose you with a disorder that is a combination.
The following is a list of preventions.
The most effective method to prevent ADD and ADHD is to recognize the disorder early and then take steps to manage it before it gets out of hand. You can do this by visiting a mental healthcare professional who specializes in ADHD or asking your doctor to recommend you to one. You can also contact an organization that supports local adults with ADHD to ask about professionals in your area that can conduct screenings.
The assessment typically lasts between one and three hours after you have chosen a provider. The doctor will talk to you or your child about development, health and family history. You may be asked to rate your symptoms and complete questionnaires. They might also discuss the issue with other people, such as coaches, teachers or parents. They should also confirm that the symptoms aren't related to a sleep disorder, learning disability, or alcohol/drug use.
Your provider will also conduct a physical exam and provide additional tests as needed. They might request an MRI of your brain to determine whether there are any chemical or structural imbalances in your brain. They may also run a test to check if you have any liver, kidney or thyroid issues.
Children up to 12 years old should show at least six signs, and their behavior should be disruptive to daily life. Adults over 17 must show at least five symptoms. They must have a history of the symptoms that began before the age of 12. Symptoms must occur in two or more settings like home, social or school situations. The symptoms should be present for six months or more and can't be explained by other medical condition.
Other signs could be also present. These include forgetfulness and trouble working through tasks. They could be easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts. Adults with ADD and ADHD might not do well on tests for academics as they would have hoped due to their age, intelligence, and education.