Treatment for Adult ADHD
Testing and Diagnosis for Adult ADHD
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. An adult with ADHD (Formerly Known as ADD) has a brain that works a bit differently. For example, the ADHD brain varies in activity levels and develops and digests information.
What causes ADHD?
Recent evidence shows that ADHD usually has a strong genetic component. So if either of your parents has ADHD, you may also inherit it. Our society's demands can add strain, but is not a cause. For example, working at desks for long periods or being bombarded with social media can make it hard for adults to be productive.
ADHD is often confused with other conditions, such as bipolar disorder, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), or autism. That's why it's so important to get tested with a psychologist and receive a diagnosis before treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD is often associated with kids. However, you may not realize that this disorder could explain why you struggle to reach your goals or how others think of you. ADHD can show up differently depending on your genetic makeup and environment.
Symptoms of Adult ADHD include:
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chronically late to important meetings or events
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difficulty staying on task
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get easily overstimulated and zone out
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always feel disorganized and often lose essential items
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restless or easily bored to the point of ignoring critical daily tasks.
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yelling out or can't seem to control anger
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always multi-tasking
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difficulty falling or staying asleep
Left untreated, you may find that your relationships or performance at work or school suffers. Anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression can arise. Short-term memory loss can also result. ADHD can also worsen with age if not managed.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Dr. Gerdin uses standardized, evidence-based psychological assessment measures to identify ADHD or find the root cause of problems. At times, he may use also neurocogntive assessments (IQ, attention, memory, problem-solving, etc.) when it is helpful and necessary.
Process
Session 1 - Interview
In a 1.5 hour interview session, Dr. Gerdin takes the time to hear your story and gets to know your true concerns.
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Session 2 - Neuropsychological Testing
Dr. Gerdin may want to review important medical and school documents to get a broader picture.
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If needed, at that point. Dr. Gerdin may also meet with you for additional neuropsychological testing to investigate your cognitive strengths and weaknesses, learn more about your symptoms, and hear how these things fit into your life and personality.
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Session 3 - Review Results
Dr. Gerdin meets with you to discuss your results. He provides individualized recommendations and/or needed accommodations. This information is also given to you in a written report.
Can Adult ADHD be treated with therapy?
Absolutely. As part of your diagnosis, Dr. Gerdin will tailor your treatment plan based on the type ADHD. For example, if you have the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD, you might practice anger management. Or, if you have a more inattentive type of ADHD, your plan may focus more on decluttering and time management.
While ADHD cannot be prevented or cured, psychotherapy can be very effective for adults with ADHD.
Here are a few types of therapy and treatments that we recommend:
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cognitive behavioral therapy
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social skills groups
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coping skills
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yoga and meditation
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memory training
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working with a nutritionist or holistic health practitioner to support dietary changes.
Creativity and leadership skills can be a gift of ADHD. Dr. Gerdin also works with you to express those gifts.
Can ADHD improve without medication?
Many individuals can find relief without prescriptions. To reduce or eliminate the need for medication, work with a specialist. The best evidence available suggests that consistent exercise has been shown to improve focus and general impulse control. Other homeopathic and lifestyle changes are showing promise.
Ready for a psychological assessment for Adult ADHD?
At Gerdin Psychological Services in Spokane, we will,
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Assess for ADHD
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Co-create a treatment plan that includes healthy focusing habits, plans to optimize parts of your schedule, and a variety of other health and medical suggestions.
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