Adult ADHD Diagnosis
Adult ADHD Diagnostic Services with Dunedin Psychology
When most people think of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, they associate it with children. But ADHD affects adults, too. For adults with undiagnosed ADHD, life can be particularly challenging. Getting a diagnosis can be an important first step in dealing with those challenges and learning to thrive in spite of them. Dunedin Psychology offers diagnostic assessments for ADHD, for adults who suspect they might be affected.
Living With Undiagnosed ADHD Can Mean Struggling to Keep Up
Adults with ADHD struggle with many of the following issues. Do any of these sound familiar?
- Restlessness and impulsivity – You find it hard to sit still, wait in line, or wait for your turn at something, including conversations. You do things on impulse without thinking about possible outcomes.
- Forgetfulness – You walk into a room with the intent to do something specific but forget what it was once you get there. You forget to do routine tasks such as paying bills or watering plants.
- Losing and misplacing items – You put things down then forget where they are or forget that you have them at all.
- Difficulty starting and finishing tasks – You find it easier to start new tasks than finish what you’re already working on. But you often have trouble getting started on new tasks, too.
- Problems with time management – You don’t have a good sense of how long a task takes to complete, and you often lose track of time. As a result, you’re late to appointments and struggle to meet work deadlines.
- Distraction – You get distracted easily, either because your train of thought jumps around a lot, or because your mind goes blank.
- Managing boredom – You find it difficult to work on tasks that are tedious or that don’t interest you. You get impatient easily and don’t cope well with frustration.
- Hyperfocus – When something really interests or challenges you, you can spend hours on it without taking a break to eat or even sleep.
These issues mean adults with ADHD have trouble managing some aspects of life. If you have undiagnosed adult ADHD, you may find it hard to hold down a job, keep up with housework, or maintain relationships. The constant struggle may leave you feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted—especially because you expend a lot of energy on trying to conceal or compensate for the problems you’re having.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD often blame themselves for the problems they have. They’ve been told by parents, teachers, and others that they’re lazy or inattentive, and could improve if they just tried hard enough. They live with problems directly caused by ADHD, and problems that arise because they’re undiagnosed. That can include feelings of inadequacy and failure, shame, and low self-esteem that have a major impact on how they see themselves, and how they move through life.
What Causes ADHD?
ADHD is a neurological disorder that changes certain brain functions. It’s also classed as a developmental disorder, because it begins in childhood. The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but there’s evidence that it affects how the brain responds to neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. It’s also well-established that ADHD is a genetic disorder, and that it often (but not always) runs in families.
Why Get a Diagnosis?
If you suspect you have ADHD, it may be difficult to see the value of a diagnosis. If you’ve managed without a diagnosis so far, do you actually need one? Will having a new label for yourself really change anything?
In fact, it can change everything, because getting an ADHD diagnosis is more than just putting a label on what’s going on. Although ADHD is not curable, diagnosis opens up options and opportunities that are potentially life-changing.
Diagnosis gives you…
New options for treatment: Including medication as well as behavioral strategies that can help you deal with life’s challenges.
New ways to manage your symptoms: You can learn how to work with your differences instead of constantly fighting against them.
A new way to think about yourself: Not as someone who’s lazy, inattentive, or a failure—but as someone who’s working to overcome unique challenges that don’t affect most people.
How Dunedin Psychology Can Help You Navigate Diagnosis and Living with ADHD
At Dunedin Psychology we offer adult ADHD assessments that involve working with a registered clinical psychologist. The diagnostic process has several parts, including at least two 90-minute sessions with your psychologist, and some online assessments. Because ADHD begins in childhood, the process also involves a review of your childhood symptoms. This may involve talking to a parent or caregiver who knew you when you were a child, as well as reviewing documents such as school reports.
Getting a diagnosis is an important step, but it’s only the first step. If you’re diagnosed with ADHD, we can continue to work together as you learn how to manage your symptoms. We can also refer you to a local psychiatrist if you want to pursue medication as a possible treatment option.
Working with Dunedin Psychology is an alternative to getting a specialist referral from your GP. This means that the cost isn’t covered if you have your assessment with us. If you have health insurance, check with them to find out if your insurance provides coverage for an adult ADHD assessment.
Interested in Learning More? Contact Dunedin Psychology for Information
If you think you may have undiagnosed ADHD, getting a diagnosis could be life-changing. ADHD can be challenging to live with, but you can learn how to live with those challenges, manage your symptoms, and thrive.
If you’d like to get started, you can contact Dunedin Psychology any time with enquiries or an appointment request. Email admin@dunedinpsychology.co.nz or call 03-477-7898, or use our web contact form at https://www.dunedinpsychology.co.nz/contact.