ADHD Facts
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ADHD is a clinical diagnosis, there is no single medical, physical, or genetic test for ADHD.
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Diagnosis of ADHD must include consideration of the possible presence of co-occurring conditions.
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​The DSM-5 lists three presentations of ADHD—Predominantly Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive and Combined type.​
ADHD
Do I need an evaluation?
Many adults who seek an ADHD evaluation struggle in various areas of life. Common problems include: - Inconsistent job performance or frequently losing or quitting jobs - Great difficulty with overly loose structure of college, leading to dropping out or needing extra time to finish college. Wide range of grades and many dropped classes - Miss turns and exits while driving especially when going down on familiar roads - Underachievement in academics or career - Difficulty managing daily tasks like chores, paying bills, or staying organized - Relationship issues from not finishing tasks - Forgetting important things or getting easily upset over minor issues - Chronic stress and worry from not meeting goals and responsibilities - Persistent feelings of frustration, guilt, or blame A psychiatrist can determine if these problems are due to ADHD, another cause, or a combination of factors. While ADHD symptoms often start in childhood, some people may not experience major problems until later in life. For example, very bright individuals may compensate for their ADHD symptoms until high school, college, or starting a career. In other cases, a supportive and structured environment provided by parents may mask symptoms until the person begins living independently as a young adult.
Diagnostic Evaluation
ADHD is diagnosed clinically, meaning there's no single medical, physical, or genetic test for it. While clinicians may have slightly different approaches, certain steps are essential for a thorough evaluation. These include a detailed diagnostic interview, gathering information from sources like a spouse or family members, using DSM-5 symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales, and possibly other psychometric tests. The most crucial part of an ADHD evaluation is a structured or semi-structured interview. This interview provides a comprehensive history of the individual, with the clinician asking standardized questions to ensure consistency and reliability. The clinician explores various topics, asks follow-up questions, and assesses how many ADHD symptoms apply to the individual both now and since childhood. They also evaluate how these symptoms impact the person's life. Additionally, the psychiatrist will review whether other psychiatric disorders are present, as ADHD often co-exists with other conditions. Research shows that more than two-thirds of people with ADHD have one or more additional disorders. We do not offer neuro-psychiatric testing at MindBody Psychiatry. These assessments might be needed to rule out learning disabilities. We do not offer Continuous Performance Test (QB testing.)
Treatment
We recommend combined pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatment. Non-pharmacological therapies include: - Condition-specific psycho-education for patients and loved ones - ADHD-tailored CBT (typically these build skills and routines focused on organization, prioritization and time management while challenging self-defeating cognitions) - ADHD coaching Psychopharmacologic treatments include: - Stimulant medications - Non-stimulant medication Other therapies: - Cognitive training - Neurofeedback - Exercise