What You Don’t Know May Hurt You

You tell your primary care physician or psychiatrist that you are having difficulty focusing and concentrating, struggling with chronic disorganization, and are easily distracted. Your doctor says, “Well, you might have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD), but you have to see a psychologist to be evaluated.” You may ask yourself, “If I’m experiencing the symptoms of ADHD/ADD, and my doctor acknowledges that, then why do I need an evaluation?”

It’s not uncommon for adults to struggle with attention, concentration, and motivation at some points in their lives; however, there are factors other than ADHD that can contribute to these experiences, including:

• LIFESTYLE HABITS: Chronic multi-tasking, overworking, and sleep deprivation can create problems with attention and concentration as they subtly change the way the brain operates.
• OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES: Anxiety disorders and depressive disorders can create, or exacerbate, symptoms associated with ADHD/ADD such as difficulty focusing and concentrating, memory impairment, irritability, and disorganization.
• UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: Failure to perfectly meet the overwhelming demands of work and home can be due, in part, to unrealistic expectations. These expectations are increasingly common as employees are asked to do more with less, and social media typically provides only “polished” glimpses of other people’s lives.

At present, there is no single test available to definitively diagnose ADHD/ADD. However, a comprehensive psychological evaluation can help clarify ADHD/ADD symptoms associated with attention, concentration, mood, activation and memory—and rule-out other factors that may be contributing to these problems.

Understanding causal factors is essential; it enables the psychologist to recommend the most helpful behavioral interventions, and it helps the physician to determine what, if any, medication could be useful. Understanding causal factors can also help clients avoid temporarily worsening their symptoms (as is the case when stimulants are prescribed when, in actuality, an anxiety disorder is what’s driving the problem).

Most importantly, however, psychological evaluations can help people understand themselves better, and effectively address the multitude of factors impacting their lives.