How ADHD Testing Can Help
Can ADHD develop in adulthood?
When most people think of ADHD, they think of hyperactive children who have difficulty focusing on school work. While most diagnoses of ADHD are made in childhood, and the presence of symptoms during development is part of the diagnostic criteria, many people don't receive a diagnosis or treatment until they reach adulthood.
Typically, ADHD is first noticed in academic settings, but many bright and intelligent individuals are able to compensate for their attention deficits. In these cases, ADHD can go undetected until the demands of school or work outpace coping skills. This is why many people don't notice ADHD until adulthood. For many, they first recognize the symptoms of ADHD in college or in professional settings, where the workload becomes more intense.
When will I start to notice ADHD in adulthood?
You might:
Be unable to keep up with higher level reading in college
Have difficulty adapting to challenging work environments requiring
management of multiple projects simultaneously.
adequate performance in high-stakes environments
Perform poorly in timed testing situations (i.e., passing the LSAT or MCAT).
How do I know if I need ADHD testing?
If you notice the signs of adult ADHD in your life, an ADHD diagnosis is worth exploring. It is important to note that although most people experience some of these symptoms from time to time, ADHD is more of a long-lasting pattern of inattention and poor concentration that causes a disruption in school, work, and relationships. If you have had some of the symptoms described above for more than 6 months, it is recommended that you seek help from a mental health professional. An assessment for ADHD with a trained psychologist can help you better understand your symptoms and what is causing them.
How will ADHD testing help me?
Knowing the difference between ADHD and other disorders can better inform your treatment.
Many other psychological problems can manifest as an attention disorder.
Depression might look like:
Lack of interest in activities
Lethargy and lack of energy
Inability to focus on pressing matters
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) might look like:
Hyper-focus on non-urgent concerns, in such a way that makes them unable to focus on the task in front of them. Such as:
cleanliness
orderliness
thoughts about potential danger
past mistakes
Just because a person has a problem with attention does not mean they have ADHD. Many other symptoms can masquerade as an attention disorder, and a comprehensive assessment will clarify the nature and cause of an individual’s poor concentration and lack of focus. Not only will an assessment provide a clear diagnosis and a better understanding of your symptoms, but it can also give you the tools you need to tackle your goals.
What if I don’t want to take medication?
Myth: The only treatment option for ADHD is a prescription for stimulant medications like Adderall.
Truth: Prescriptions are the most common treatment for ADHD, but non-stimulant medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy can also help you cope with and compensate for your symptoms.
For a list of specific strategies to help you combat your ADHD, stay tuned for our upcoming blog post on tips to help cope with. Getting an assessment to diagnose ADHD is the first step in understanding and treating this problem.
