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How to Get a Free ADHD Assessment
If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD It is important to seek professional assessment and diagnosis. A thorough assessment by a qualified healthcare provider can be covered by insurance, making it affordable than having to pay out-of-pocket.
This free tool does NOT give an assessment or diagnosis. Only a physician or mental health professional can evaluate and diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms
People who are diagnosed with ADHD will have a variety of symptoms that can affect their life, work, and relationships. It is important to note that not all suffer from the same set of symptoms. Symptoms may be masked by stress or diet for instance. It is crucial that a trained healthcare provider completes an assessment to accurately determine the cause and recommend a treatment.
A specialist will ask you a series of questions to determine which of the nine ADHD symptoms are present on a regular basis.
Is easily distracted (e.g. by the television, a conversation with a friend or the sound outside the window).
Completes assignments and tasks at work or school (e.g. forgets to submit an assignment, loses work materials or does not make contact with the supervisor).
Shows frequent trouble waiting for his or his or her turn in games or conversations. Answers questions before they’re fully asked. Most often, he avoids, or dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g. schoolwork or homework; for older adolescents and adults, preparing documents or reports, examining papers).
Are having difficulty in keeping track of time or understanding complex or changing schedules.
The person has a family member with ADHD who is a first level relative.
People suffering from ADHD typically have other issues such as mood disorders or sleep issues that can result in similar symptoms. A health professional will look over the person’s mental and physical health history, including mood, and will ask about any past and current medications. They will also look at the patient’s current or, if an adult, childhood behavior and school experiences. Health care providers often obtain this information with the patient’s permission by talking to colleagues and friends, and by reviewing early school report cards or other academic records. In addition health specialists will examine whether the person uses psychostimulants or other “complementary” methods to help with their ADHD. These methods have not been scientifically proven to improve ADHD.
Diagnosis
You may be told you’re suffering from ADHD If you are prone to losing your keys, having difficulties keeping up with school or work, or forget appointments. It’s easy to laugh at these comments every now and then. But if your forgetfulness and disorganization seem to be becoming more and more frequent and you’re not sure if it’s an appropriate time to seek out an expert in mental health. This isn’t a diagnostic tool but it is a great way to start the discussion about seeking help for symptoms that disrupt your daily life.
Self-assessment can be a useful tool to determine if you or your child have signs that indicate ADHD. However the specialist can only diagnose the condition following a consultation. They will evaluate your child’s or your own symptoms and ask you questions about your life and family history, and your mental and medical history. They will use checklists and rating scales to assess your symptoms. They will also conduct physical examinations to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms.
Your physician will employ the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) criteria to diagnose ADHD. To be considered to have ADHD your symptoms must be evident in more than one setting like school and home or social settings and have a significant impact on your child’s or yours’s daily functioning. They have to be present for at least six months and not be explained by other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
The criteria for adults and teens is a bit different. To be diagnosed with ADHD it is necessary to consistently show five out of seven inattentive or impulsive symptoms. When choosing a treatment plan, it’s crucial that your provider knows your medical history.
It’s crucial that your provider is trained and has experience working with adults with ADHD. Many people who have symptoms of ADHD are referred to an accredited professional therapist or counselor. Find out about their experience and training prior to scheduling an appointment.
Treatment
Many people suffering from ADHD do not seek treatment because of the stigma that surrounds the condition. However, research conducted by scientists has proved that adult ADHD does exist and that if symptoms are not treated, they can impact quality of life.
Experts recommend a combination non-medication strategies, such as therapy and lifestyle changes. They also suggest educational support. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of a person’s life are addressed and allows them to face the challenges of ADHD more effectively.
Talk therapy with an individual is a crucial component of healing. Talk therapy can be utilized to assist people in managing stress and improve their relationships and develop coping strategies. It can also help individuals to understand and control their impulsive behavior as well as learn to organize and manage money and time more efficiently. These therapies can be delivered in person or through an online counseling program like BetterHelp.
Behavioral therapy can be used to teach parents and other family members how to better manage a child’s ADHD symptoms. In therapy sessions, a therapist will teach families how to set clear expectations and offer rewards for positive behavior. They can also show parents how to remove distractions and make their child’s space more comfortable, allowing them to concentrate on their work or assignments.
In therapy, you can teach self-management skills, such as time management and organizational skills and self-care methods like eating healthy and exercising. These tools are particularly useful for children with ADHD who struggle at school.
Medication is a very effective treatment for some people suffering from ADHD. The medications work by decreasing the activity in certain regions of the brain that control impulse control. This helps people pay attention and focus. There are many different medications that are prescribed for ADHD that include stimulants, like Adderall and amphetamines; nonstimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) and quetiapine (Quillium) and bupropion (Wellbutrin); and melatonin, which can be available over the counter as an oral supplement.
There are a few treatment options that are experimental for ADHD in addition to pharmaceutical treatment. In one study, a small electrical device known as Monarch eTNS – electronic trigeminal neuro stimulation was found to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children. It works by sending a series of pulses of gentle electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nervous system, which carries sensation from your head and face to the brain.
Support
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a great relief but it can also raise lots of questions. It’s normal for adults to want to understand how their issues affect them and what they can do to improve their lives. The good news is that there are many resources for free available.
Adults suffering from ADHD, and their families, can seek support through support groups to help them navigate the challenges of the disorder. A lot of these groups are designed to help people connect with others who can relate to their own experiences, offer advice, and offer emotional support. Additionally, a lot of these groups are specifically focused on specific topics like workplace issues, parenting struggles and the unique challenges that women with ADHD have to face.
Online resources can be a valuable source for people suffering from ADHD. Self-assessment is a way to determine if their issues are connected to ADHD. These tools usually include the questionnaire, which includes items that are typical of adults with ADHD. However, they are not able to serve as a substitute for professional assessment.
There are a variety of local and national support groups for those who suffer from ADHD in addition to the online resources. They are usually run by mental healthcare specialists who specialize in ADHD. They can provide a safe and secure environment to discuss the symptoms, challenges and solutions.
Parents of children with ADHD can also receive lots of assistance and guidance from their doctors. In addition to prescribing medication and assisting with treatment, they are also trained to implement strategies for managing behavior and teach the strategies to their children. Parents usually attend between 8 and 16 sessions with a therapist and practice these strategies between sessions.
Contact your mental health provider or healthcare provider if you are interested in joining a support group for ADHD. They may be able to suggest a group or recommend a particular one. Also, make sure you go to a few meetings before you join to ensure that the atmosphere is suitable for you. Be careful not to disclose any personal information. In addition, be aware that most forums and online support groups allow anyone to post advice. This information is not regulated and may not conform to medical practices.