Adult ADHD Assessment and Treatment in Sydney Hills District

About Adult ADHD

Modern life and it’s fast pace can certainly be a balancing act for any adult, but if you find yourself with concentration problems, constantly late, disorganised, forgetful, or overwhelmed, you may have undiagnosed adult ADHD.

ADHD isn’t just something that affects children. Attention deficit disorder affects many adults, and its variety of frustrating symptoms such as impairments with concentration and memory, and disorganisation can get in the way of everything from relationships to careers.

How can adults develop ADHD?

Adults with ADHD have most likely always had ADHD – it may have gone unrecognised throughout childhood. This was especially common in the past, when others may have labelled you as a day-dreamer, a lazy kid, a troublemaker, forgetful, disorganised – or just as a bad student.

There is also the possibility that you may have been able to compensate for the symptoms of ADHD when you were young. As demands increase – through primary into secondary school, and then into pursuing a career, raising a family, running a household, the greater the demands on you become. These demands are made on your abilities to organise, focus, and remain calm. Although this can be challenging for anyone, if you have ADHD it can feel almost impossible.

The good news is that, no matter how it feels, many challenges of attention deficit disorder can be overcome.

With education, support, and a little creativity, you can learn to manage the symptoms of adult ADHD—even turning some of your weaknesses into strengths. It’s never too late to turn the difficulties of adult ADHD around and start discovering strategies that can help you succeed.

Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults

In adults, attention deficit disorder often looks different than ADHD in children. We know that symptoms are unique for each individual, but it you find you are experiencing many of the following, it may be time for a formal assessment and support.

COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

Trouble concentrating and staying focused. You may be easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, move from one activity to another, often without finishing tasks, or become bored quickly. These symptoms of inattention and concentration difficulties can lead to problems paying attention, including finding it hard to read, or pay attention to others, getting lost in conversations, or finding it hard to follow directions.

Disorganisation and forgetfulness. You may find that your car, home or office is messy and cluttered, that you frequently forget appointments or deadlines, or underestimate how long things take. Adults with ADHD often complain of losing or misplacing phones, keys, or wallets.

Hyperfocus. Hyperfocus is often noted in adults with ADHD. Although many are aware to tune out the world around them when engaged in a task, book or game, hyperfocus can also lead to problems if you are unable to switch effectively between tasks that you need to so, or move your attention easily.

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

Impulsivity. When impulsivity is an issue, it can lead to trouble inhibiting behaviour, including speech. You might find that you often act before thinking, make decisions before considering all the options, interrupt others, blurt out replies or rush through tasks. Patience may be challenging, and sometimes it can be hard to sit still when required (e.g. when you are at your child’s assembly or in a long meeting).

Hyperactivity or restlessness. Hyperactivity in adults with ADHD looks much the same as it does in children. You may be highly energetic and feel always “on the go” as if driven by a motor. Often, symptoms of hyperactivity become more subtle and internal with age. You may notice feeling restless, or constantly fidgeting or multi-tasking. There can also be racing thoughts, excessive talking, and a tendency to take risks.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

Emotional difficulties. Many adults with ADHD have difficulties managing their feelings. Emotions like anger or frustration can be particularly problematic, leading to irritability and mood swings, or a short, explosive, temper and difficulty managing frustration.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

TESTING

For adults diagnosed in later life, understanding what ADHD is may lead to a deeper understanding of the self, and awareness of helpful strategies to reduce stress.

There is no single test for adult ADHD. We offer a comprehensive and holistic testing package for ADHD, because we know how important an accurate diagnosis is. Our testing is designed with your individual needs in mind.

Our holistic testing may include clinical observations, information gathering from family or friends, and testing in regards to academic, social, behavioural and emotional functioning. A developmental history review and specific tests of attention, in addition to psychometric testing to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses can be undertaken.

DIFFERENTIATION OF ADHD

Other problems such as learning difficulties, anxiety, sleep problems, attachment difficulties, mood problems, personal temperament or other neuro-developmental disorders can lead to very similar symptoms to AD/HD.

We understand how important a thorough assessment is and tailor our approach to your individual needs.