Adult ADHD Diagnosis in Salem NH

There is no specific medical test that is used to diagnose ADHD. Instead, medical specialists assess and diagnose ADHD when symptoms begin to consistently impact a person’s ability to function in their day-to-day lives for longer than 6 months. Doctors specifically look for signs of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsiveness that are negatively impacting one’s quality of life. In addition to this, they also perform a specific assortment of psychological and physical testing to rule out other conditions that may be causing these symptoms.

In addition to closely monitoring and testing your symptoms, an ADHD specialist may also connect with your friends, family, or guardians to get their perspective on your behavior. This typically happens through the use of informal interviews and questionnaires to help provide more insight into your life, behaviors, and social interactions.

The common symptoms of ADHD, including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, often present differently in adults than they do in children. Adult ADHD symptoms tend to be more subtle in nature, as those with the condition have often learned how to self-manage and cope with them to better fit the scope of their adult responsibilities.

The signs of adult ADHD may include:

– Careless and/or reckless behaviour.
– Lack of attention to detail.
– Starting new tasks before finishing old ones.
– Poor organisational skills.
– Inability to focus.
– Continually losing or misplacing things.
– Forgetfulness often due to lack of paying attention.
– Restlessness and/or fidgetiness.
– Difficulty keeping quiet.
– Consistently speaking out of turn or interrupting others.
– Mood swings.
– Poor ability to cope with stress.
– High levels of impatience.

It’s important to note that adults may experience fluctuating frequency and intensity of some or all of these symptoms throughout the years. Due to this, adult ADHD can be easy to miss and tricky to diagnose without the insights of a medical specialist.

Adults with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD are at much higher level of risk of experiencing behavioural issues and mood disorders over the course of their lifetime. This can manifest in different ways, such as:

– Difficulty keeping a job.
– Substance abuse.
– Difficulty managing compulsive habits.
– Being prone to making more dangerous choices and/or decisions
– Trouble maintaining healthy relationships and friendships.
– Poor self esteem
– Increased rates of accidents.
– Not taking adequate care of themselves.
– Not taking care of their at-home or work environment.
– Poor planning abilities.
– Consistently being late.
– Unintentionally missing scheduled appointments and/or dates.

While ADHD itself is not a physically debilitating disease, left untreated it can lead to damaging and/or severe physical and psychological outcomes in both the short and long term. By consulting with a certified ADHD specialist, they can guide you towards getting the diagnosis and treatment that you need to manage symptoms in a positive way.

While there is no cure for ADHD, the condition itself is highly treatable with the appropriate medical guidance.

ADHD treatment in adults is typically a multifaceted approach that utilizes different clinically proven methods for a comprehensive result. This includes medication, education, skills training, and therapy, all of which is tailor-designed to fit your unique personal and medical needs.

If you or someone you love is struggling with diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD, connect with us at Advanced Psych Care. We offer comprehensive care that can help you get the answers you’re looking for, giving you the knowledge, skills, and resources to move forward in a meaningful way. Contact us today for more information about our ADHD services or book in with us online to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from Salem NH, Windham NH, Atkinson NH, Plaistow NH, Pelham NH, Hampstead NH, Danville NH, and Derry NH