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Adult ADHD: Do You Need a Diagnosis?

In this era of a constant flurry of digital distractions, it is no wonder that we all begin to wonder, “Is my struggle diagnosable? And should I seek diagnosis and treatment?” Or is feeling like this “just the way it is?”

Indeed, most people are generally familiar with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but aren’t quite sure whether and when to figure out if they have it, and if so, what to do about it. ADHD is commonly diagnosed in childhood, but the more we understand about this condition, the more researchers and professionals are recognizing that adults struggle too but in unique ways.

Elizabeth Heim, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Inspired Psychiatric Care in Overland Park, KS, specializes in the mental health challenges faced by military personnel and their families.

“ADHD is one of the most common concerns that new patients express,” said Elizabeth, who grew up in a military family and recently completed military-sponsored behavioral health awareness training.

“With our ADHD Center of Excellence, we specialize in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and in treating any sister conditions such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia” — Elizabeth Heim

Here are signs that it may be time to seek input from a professional for ADHD:

1

You notice it takes you much longer to accomplish tasks

For example, you find yourself constantly losing focus on tasks, even those you find important. Or you never are able to do the “last mile” of a task and instead multiple tasks are left “hanging.” It could be that this affects job performance and relationships and because of that it may take you an exorbitant amount of time to finish something. Regularly overlooking details, or difficulty following instructions are other symptoms. It may or may not be ADHD, but it could be something else contributing to a subtle or significant executive functioning difficulty.
2

You are constantly restless

While not all people with ADHD experience hyperactivity, some may feel constantly restless or fidgety. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t sit at a desk for hours on end; adults might experience this as an inner restlessness where your mind is jumping around.
3

You are impulsive to the point that it concerns you

Acting without thinking or having trouble with self-control is another hallmark of ADHD. This can manifest as interrupting others, making hasty decisions, or difficulty waiting one’s turn. If you are an extravert, keep an eye on this if you feel that your impulsiveness goes beyond even what’s “normal” for your personality.
4

You're disorganized and often run late

Chronic disorganization, frequently missing deadlines, and poor time management are common ADHD symptoms. Adults might struggle with keeping their living or working spaces organized or consistently arriving late to appointments. It is important to distinguish between general “messiness” and longstanding, significant disorganization.
5

You're easily frustrated

People with ADHD may experience mood swings or become easily frustrated by small inconveniences. They might have difficulty managing stress or regulating their emotions in various situations.
If one or more of these applies to you, consider how this is impacting your life. For an ADHD diagnosis, typically symptoms must interfere with or impair functioning in at least two settings, such as home, work, school, or social relationships, for at least six months. It is important to consider life-long struggles that often go unrecognized. Women who are successful academically often have learned to mask symptoms of ADHD and require careful diagnostic attention.
And remember, the feeling of not being able to do a single task for more than a few minutes or frequently losing track of your things or your time, is inherently stressful. There are clear benefits to having a diagnosis that explains your symptoms. For starters, you may feel less shame that you are struggling because you better understand the brain chemistry causing the issues. Plus, with a diagnosis, you can work with a provider to access targeted treatment.

Worried that you may have ADHD?

Become a New Patient Today!

Inspired Psychiatric Care can help. We recently launched an ADHD Center of Excellence to help patients, especially adult women, accurately diagnose ADHD. Our processes include upfront testing at a reasonable cost, ongoing coaching and access to appropriate medications if warranted.

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