ADHD Symptoms Test - How to Get a Diagnosis
Screening tools can help detect potential ADHD symptoms, but the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to consult an experienced health professional. They will use a combination of physical exam and behavioral test.
They might ask for your or your child's performance records and other information. adhd test online free may also request a chance to speak with your family and school officials.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of aspects of life including at school and at work. The first step in getting treatment is to have a doctor assess your symptoms. Start by speaking to your primary care provider or request to be referred to a mental health professional. Your doctor will ask about your family and medical history and also your current symptoms. The doctor may be interested in the symptoms you experienced as a child.
Has trouble following instructions or keeping track of tasks both at home and work (e.g. is late for appointments, fails to complete assignments, or is unable to locate things like homework). Forgets important tasks such as paying bills and presenting at work. Inadvertently forgets to track homework or household chores at home. It is common for people to lose the conversation and forgets particulars while reading or listening. It is common for people to lose focus or get side-tracked during activities, especially ones that require close focus (e.g., long reading sessions, lectures or playing activities).
People suffering from ADHD that is characterized by inattention are more likely forget things. This kind of ADHD is not as noticeable as other kinds, which are marked by hyperactivity and impulsivity.
For people who have both types of ADHD, the most common sign is that they are easily distracted. They are also more likely to be restless or fidgety. These signs usually begin in childhood, but before the age of 12 years old.
Before diagnosing you with ADHD, your health care provider will ensure that your symptoms aren't more easily explained by another illness such as anxiety or depression. He or she will also review your health and family history and look for physical issues that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD, like seizures, thyroid disorders or sleep disorders. Your provider will also be interested in knowing about your work schedule and social life. They may ask for your permission to speak with those you know well, like teachers and coworkers, or obtain information from educational or medical records.
Causes
Most adults know that there are many things that can trigger symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity such as anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits as well as alcohol and drug abuse and learning disabilities. ADHD is often co-occurring with these and other mental disorders. Your child or you must undergo a thorough examination prior to receiving the diagnosis of ADHD. This includes a physical examination as well as reviewing school records, talking to teachers and caregivers as well as the use of standardized 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 for at least six months and must be consistent across a variety of 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. The person's symptoms should not be attributed to a learning disability or mood disorder or intellectual disability or medical condition like thyroid problems or brain tumor.
You should find a healthcare 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 professional will go over the medical and mental health histories of your child or yourself, as well as look for symptoms of the disorder. This includes an eye examination, blood pressure, and heartbeat.
Additional psychological and neuropsychological tests could be administered depending on the individual's needs to determine for any conditions, such as bipolar disorder or learning disabilities. A standard test known as the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid is often used in people aged 6 and over to determine brain wave patterns that tend to be higher in people with ADHD.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and achieving more efficient functioning at home and work. It isn't easy to determine which direction to take or who to contact for suggestions for a specialist who can evaluate your child or you.
There are many different ways to get diagnosed with ADHD However, most 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 standard ADHD rating scales. They will usually also perform tests to screen for co-existing conditions such as mood disorders or learning disabilities, too.
They might examine your or your child's medical and family history, and may talk with others who know you personallyfor example, teachers, family members and employers. They may request old school records and other tests to determine whether there have been any symptoms since the time of your child's birth. They may suggest a physical examination or request an analysis of blood to rule out specific health issues.
Other tests could include a brain imaging test like MRI or CT scan. These tests can help to identify other possible causes for the symptoms of your child or you such as a tumor, thyroid problems, brain inflammation or a head injury.
A psychiatrist or psychologist may also recommend an EEG to measure the speed of electrical activity in the brain. People with ADHD tend to have faster brain wave patterns than other people, which can be observed on an EEG.
There are symptoms that have been present for at least six months in two or more locations like home, school or work. Symptoms are noticeable and can disrupt a person's daily life. These symptoms can affect a person's ability to function at school, at work and in social situations. The symptoms have been present since the age of 12 for children ranging from 12 to 16; in adults, they must have symptoms that began in the early years of childhood. The symptoms aren't caused by another mental or medical condition such as depression or anxiety.
Treatment
The first thing doctors recommend for children with ADHD. These drugs can improve concentration and reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but are not a cure. In addition to taking prescription drugs, many kids and their parents require different types of therapy to manage their symptoms. Therapy may include family education and behavioral training. Parents and children can benefit from learning how to communicate with teachers and other school personnel, who can provide vital information regarding a child's performance in school.
Finding adults suffering from ADHD is trickier, because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V) symptom guide is geared more towards diagnosing children than adults. For adults, a doctor might inquire about their health history, current mood, and previous experiences to see whether these triggers could be causing symptoms that resemble ADHD. They will often perform an interview in a clinical setting using one of the standardized ADHD rating scales.
A physical examination is vital, since certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. A health care provider may also check for head trauma and other neurological problems.
Many experts believe that a comprehensive health record is the most effective way of determining whether someone has ADHD. This includes details about the person's lifestyle and dietary habits, any family history of addiction or mental illness issues at school or at work and other social issues that may influence behavior. A health care professional is likely to want to know the length of time the symptoms have existed as well as what other remedies have been tried and what medicines are being taken.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are prescribed a mixture of medications. The stimulant drugs are the most frequently prescribed to treat ADHD however, nonstimulant drugs can be used in lieu of stimulants or in combination with them to boost their effectiveness. These medications can interact with other drugs. It is essential to inform your doctor of the medications you and your child are taking. It is common to try various doses before you find the one that is right for you.