Commonwealth Psychology Associates offers testing and assessment services for adults and children to test for ADHD in patients of all ages. If a diagnosis of ADHD is made, we will review treatment options and recommendations with you and help you determine the best course of action for you or your child.

For more information on ADHD testing and treatment, please contact us or call us at 617-424-0765.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is often thought of as a childhood disorder. However, what is not widely known is that many children with ADHD will continue to have significant symptoms during adulthood. In fact, studies have estimated that between 30 and 70 percent of children with ADHD will continue to have symptoms in adulthood.

Many students who struggled with symptoms during their school years will go on to struggle in the workplace, which can be much less forgiving than some academic settings. Individuals who undergo an assessment or test for ADHD and receive a proper diagnosis of ADHD during childhood may have a leg up in terms of having already obtained treatments and developed effective strategies that they carry forward into adulthood.

However, many adults with ADHD were never diagnosed as children. These individuals may not understand why it sometimes feels impossible to get organized, stick to a job, keep an appointment, or finish a project. The everyday tasks of getting up, getting dressed, getting to work on time, and being productive on the job can be major challenges for the ADHD adult. ADHD in adulthood can negatively impact an individual’s work life, relationships, financial status, and self-esteem. Additionally, depression and anxiety are commonly associated with ADHD and can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD. But, many adults with ADHD can lead more productive and enjoyable lives by first obtaining an accurate diagnosis of ADHD and by then pursuing appropriate treatments for their specific problems.

To appropriately test for ADHD and make an accurate diagnosis of ADHD in an adult one should undergo a comprehensive assessment by a clinician with expertise in the areas of attention dysfunction and the many emotional and brain-related issues that can masquerade as ADHD. Because many other problems have symptoms that resemble those of ADHD, including sleep problems, thyroid dysfunction, mood issues, or any number of other medical or neurological problems, it is essential that a client receive a comprehensive evaluation to test for ADHD that will allow for an accurate diagnosis.

At Commonwealth Psychology Associates, our approach to the diagnosis of ADHD in adults includes obtaining a detailed history from the client and conducting a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to measure attention and other cognitive functions that can be negatively impacted by ADHD. Additionally, we conduct brief psychological testing to determine whether emotional issues such as mood or anxiety problems may be contributing factors that need to be addressed. Once a diagnosis of ADHD is confirmed, treatment planning can begin.

Education:
Above all, ADHD adults should learn as much as they can about their disorder. After learning about ADHD, a client will be in a better position to decide what treatment options seem right for him or her, such as psychotherapy, medication, or both in combination. Some individuals will obtain enough hints, strategies and ideas from books and websites to address their symptoms on their own without further intervention. But, most people find that utilizing additional resources such as psychotherapy or medication is the most effective method for dealing with their symptoms. Before deciding what route to take, we recommend that clients pursue additional information. Numerous books devoted to the topic are available at most bookstores and websites can provide excellent information as well. Examples of some of the books and websites that we often recommend are listed below.

Books:
ADHD in Adults: What the Science Says by Russell A. Barkley, Kevin R. Murphy, and Mariellen Fischer (Hardcover - Nov 9, 2007)

Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities And ADHD Give You The Tools by Jonathan Mooney, David Cole, and Edward M. Hallowell (Paperback - Sep 5, 2000)

Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (Paperback - Mar 2, 1995)

Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Md Ratey (Paperback - Dec 27, 2005)

Psychotherapy can be an important part of learning to manage life with ADHD. A key component of therapy for ADHD adults is “revising” ones personal history and negative self-image to more accurately view past difficulties in the context of a new explanation: ADHD. Many clients grew up believing their life struggles stemmed from being “stupid” or “lazy” and these beliefs may have eroded their self-esteem. Correcting these inaccurate beliefs and re-writing one’s personal history to incorporate the real culprit can be powerful steps toward improving self esteem and taking charge of one’s life. Therapy also is particularly important for the large number of individuals with ADHD who also have problems with depression or anxiety. Because depression and anxiety can negatively impact concentration and memory, it is essential that mood and anxiety issues be treated so that they don’t exacerbate symptoms of ADHD. Likewise, developing better stress management skills can facilitate better coping and management of daily stressors, including those related to living with ADHD. Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy and biofeedback training may be particularly helpful in this regard.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), if adults take a medication for ADHD, they often start with a stimulant medication similar to those used with children. The stimulant medications affect the regulation of two neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine. Several medications have been tested in controlled studies in both children and adults and have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD.

Antidepressants are considered a second choice for treatment of adults with ADHD. Of the antidepressants that commonly are used to treat ADHD, most are prescribed because, like the stimulants, they affect either norepinephrine and/or dopamine. Many popular antidepressant medications affect primarily another neurotransmitter, serotonin (SSRIs), and therefore often are not the first choice for treating ADHD. However, if an individual has a significant mood or anxiety problem in addition to ADHD, an SSRI medication may be the first choice.

When prescribing for adults, special considerations are made including the weight of the client, the “half-life” of the medication, and whether the client is prescribed other medications for physical problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Some adults may also have mood or anxiety issues that will need to be addressed as well. All of these variables must be taken into account before a medication is prescribed. Clients will need to consult with their physician to discuss these matters and obtain the best medication for their personal situation. A psychopharmacology consultation may be indicated and clients should always check with their physician before starting or stopping any medication.

*For more information on psychopharmacological treatments for ADHD in adults or children, visit www.nimh.nih.gov

Commonwealth Psychology Associates offers ADHD testing and assesment services for the diagnosis of ADHD to people living in and around the greater Boston area, including the surrounding Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire communities.