I have tested and treated many adults for ADHD over the course of the past several years. I became interested in specializing in ADHD as an adult with suspected ADHD who could have benefited greatly earlier in my life from the resources and clarity having a diagnosis could have provided me. Now, I experience great satisfaction in helping other adults get the information and resources I wish I had received during times of great struggle due to ADHD symptoms. Many adults find that testing results in a sense of freedom from the stress that living with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD often causes.
The top two things adults with suspected ADHD tell me they hope to gain from testing is 1. clarity and deepening self-understanding around the symptoms and struggles they are experiencing and 2. resources and a path forward for seeking treatment for these symptoms.
Fortunately, an abundance of information is obtained through the three main parts of the testing process. These include: 1. an intake interview which gathers symptom information and mental health history, 2. the actual testing process which gathers objective data around cognitive processes associated with executive function and ADHD symptoms and 3. a feedback session which provides information and guidance around how to move forward with the assigned diagnosis(es) as a result of testing.
The testing and interviewing process provides both subjective and objective data which can be compiled in order to render a diagnosis for a client and give them a sense of whether or not they have ADHD and to what extent these symptoms are causing interference in their lives. The two primary recommendations I give clients as a result of testing is to pursue medication, if they wish to take that route, and seek behavioral treatment through therapy or ADHD coaching with a provider who specializes in treating ADHD.
It is important that clients diagnosed with ADHD work to increase self-acceptance and self-compassion around their diagnosis while also being accountable for learning ways to decrease the negative consequences symptoms are having in their lives. Behavioral therapy can help clients learn a path forward and make important changes that will help reduce the negative consequences ADHD symptoms might be causing at work or school, in daily tasks of living and in relationships with others.
If you're interested in pursuing ADHD testing to gain diagnostic clarity and/or find resources for treating ADHD symptoms, feel free to email me at drchelseatwisscounseling@gmail.com for further information about the testing process and to schedule an intake appointment.
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