ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help determine if you have ADHD symptoms. However the only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to visit a health care provider. They will use a combination of physical exam and behavioral tests.
They may request to see your child's or your own performance records as well as other data. They may also request an opportunity to meet with your family members and school officials.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can cause issues at work and in school. The first step in obtaining treatment is to have a doctor assess your symptoms. Begin by talking with your primary health care provider or requesting a referral to an expert in mental health. Your doctor will know about your family and medical history and about your current symptoms. He or she might be interested in the symptoms you had as a child.
Not able to follow instructions or keeping track of assignments at home and at work (e.g. missed appointments, fails to finish assignments, or misplaces things like homework). Inattention to important tasks, such as paying bills and presenting at work. Doesn't remember chores at school or around the home. Listening or reading and losing his place in the conversation and overlooks crucial details. It is common for people to lose focus or get side-tracked during activities, especially those that require attention (e.g. lengthy reading, lectures or playing activities).
People who suffer from the predominantly inattentive kind of ADHD are more likely to struggle with remembering things. Symptoms of this kind are not as obvious as hyperactivity and impulsivity that are seen in other types of ADHD.
The most common characteristic of both types of ADHD is that people are easily distracted. They are more likely to be fidgety and restless. These symptoms usually start in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12 years old.
Before determining if you have ADHD Your doctor will ensure that your symptoms aren't better explained by another condition such as anxiety or depression. The doctor will examine both your health and family history and look for any physical issues that could cause ADHD-like symptoms such as seizures, thyroid disorders or sleep disorders. Your provider will want to know more about your work and social life. adhd test for adults online free might request your permission to talk to those you know well, like teachers and coworkers, or obtain information from your medical or educational records.
Causes
Many adults are aware that there are a myriad of things that can trigger symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity like anxiety, depression and poor sleep habits as well as alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often associated with other mental health issues. Your child or you must undergo a thorough evaluation before receiving an diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical exam, reviewing school records and talking with teachers and caretakers and completing regular 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 present for at minimum six months and be consistent across different environments (home, school and work). 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, a person must not have a plausible explanation for the symptoms, such as a learning disability, an intellectual disability, mood disorder, or medical condition like seizures, thyroid problems or a brain tumor.
You should locate an expert in health care who has expertise 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 specialist will review your or your child's medical and mental history, and also examine the person for signs of the disorder including an eye examination blood pressure, and heart rate.
Depending on the individual depending on the individual, additional neuropsychological and psychological tests can be performed to identify conditions that are similar to or are co-occurring with ADHD such as depression, learning disabilities, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or a brain tumor. A test that is standardized, called the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid can also be used by people who are 6 and over to determine the patterns of brain waves that tend to be higher in those with ADHD.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and getting better functioning at work and at home. But it can feel overwhelming to know where to start or even who to ask for a professional to assess you or your child.
There are a myriad of ways to diagnose ADHD, but most professionals follow the American Psychiatric Association’s clinical guidelines that are contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). They will review all the symptoms you or your child are experiencing. They will also conduct a thorough interview using one of the standard ADHD rating scales. They may also conduct an examination for coexisting disorders like 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 personallylike teachers, family members and employers. They can request old school records or other tests to determine if the symptoms have been present since childhood. They might recommend a physical exam or request an analysis of blood to rule out certain health issues.
Other tests could include a brain imaging exam like MRI or CT scan. These tests can help identify other possible causes of your child's or your child's symptoms, including a tumor or thyroid issue, inflammation in the brain or a brain virus.
In addition psychiatrists or psychologists might suggest an EEG which is a test to determine the speed of the brain's electrical activity. People with ADHD often have more rapid brain wave patterns than other people, and this can be observed on an EEG.
Symptoms that have been present for at least six months in two or more places including home, school or work. The symptoms are obvious and disruptive to the person's life. They interfere with daily functioning at work, school and social settings. Symptoms have been present from the age of 12 for children ranging from 12 to 16; for adults, they must have symptoms that began in childhood. The symptoms aren't caused by a mental or medical condition like anxiety or depression.
Treatment
Medications are often the first thing doctors recommend to children with ADHD. These medications can aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive and hyperactive behavior however, they aren't a cure for ADHD. In addition to taking prescription drugs children and their parents need other forms of therapy to control their symptoms. Therapy can include family education as well as behavioral training. Parents and children can benefit from learning how to communicate with teachers and other school personnel, who can provide crucial information about a child's progress in class.
The process of diagnosing adults with ADHD is trickier, because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V) the symptom guide is more geared towards diagnosing children rather than adults. For adults, a physician may ask about their health history, mood and past experiences to see whether these factors can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. They usually conduct a clinical interview using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is vital, since certain medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A health care provider may also check for head trauma or other neurological issues.
Some experts believe a comprehensive health record is the best method of determining whether a person suffers from ADHD. This will include information on the person's lifestyle, dietary habits and family history of mental illness or substance abuse, as well as issues at school or at work. A health professional will probably also be interested in knowing how long the symptoms have been present as well as what other remedies have been tried and what medicines are being used.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD take a combination of medications. The most common medication prescribed to treat ADHD is stimulant drugs. However, nonstimulant medicines can be used in lieu of stimulants, or with them to boost their effectiveness. These medicines may interact with other medications, and it's important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you or your child are taking. It is normal to test several different doses before finding the best one.