ADHD Part 2: Diagnosis and Treatment
As covered in my previous blog post ADHD Part 1: What is ADHD?, it was explained that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, impulse control, activity levels, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. A diagnosis can bring both relief and grief for someone. Relief because there are now answers to why you have been struggling so much. AND it can also be hard news to digest, especially if the diagnosis comes later in life and you are left wondering how things could have been different for you if you’d known your needs sooner.
Diagnosis
If you recognize yourself in descriptions of ADHD, it can be tempting to take an online questionnaire and decide that you have ADHD. Screening tools can be useful starting points, but they are not the same thing as getting a comprehensive assessment. ADHD symptoms can overlap with many other experiences, including anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep difficulties, substance use, stress, and other health or mental-health conditions. A proper assessment considers the broader picture, including developmental history and how symptoms affect functioning across different areas of life.
I have noticed an increasing amount of people being diagnosed in adulthood, especially after their kids have been diagnosed. I’m also seeing an increase in diagnosis in women, because we now have more clinical research and understanding about how the symptoms present differently in women. I need to be clear that in my role as a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I cannot make a diagnosis. However, I do have extra knowledge and training about ADHD, and I often describe my observations or point out symptoms to clients. To gain a diagnosis, you would need to be assessed by a medical doctor, such as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
Prior to seeking an assessment, you may find it helpful to make notes beforehand about:
-What difficulties you are experiencing now
-When you first remember experiencing them
-How they affect work, school, relationships, or home life
-Strategies you've already tried
-Any relevant mental or physical health history
-Questions you have about assessment and treatment
What does an ADHD assessment involve?
An ADHD diagnosis should involve more than completing a questionnaire or recognizing yourself in a list of symptoms. A qualified healthcare professional will typically want to understand your experiences across different areas of your life and over time. This may include discussing:
-Your current symptoms and challenges
-Your childhood and developmental history
-School and work experiences
-Relationships and daily functioning
-Sleep, physical health, and medications
-Mental health and emotional wellbeing
-Substance use, where relevant
-Other possible explanations for your difficulties (they may assess for depression or anxiety)
-Whether symptoms have a meaningful impact on your everyday life
For adults especially, the assessment may include questions about childhood because ADHD is a developmental condition. You may be asked to provide old school reports, speak with a parent or another person who knew you as a child, or provide other historical information when available.
Treatment Options
Support for ADHD can come in many forms. First and foremost, understanding how ADHD impacts a person’s daily functioning can then lead to asking the helpful question of “What supports would make this easier?” For some people, support may involve trying medication. For others, counselling, ADHD-informed strategies, environmental changes, coaching, occupational supports, or a combination of approaches may be helpful. Treatment is about reducing the difficulties that interfere with the life you want to live. It might mean being better able to remember an appointment, complete a task, regulate a strong emotion, or follow through on something that matters to you.
Medication
Medication for ADHD has come a long way and there are 2 types available, stimulants and non-stimulants. Depending on the type of medication taken, there are different benefits, side effects, risks, and considerations. On-going consultation with your doctor is necessary if you are considering trying medication to support your symptoms, because finding the right approach can sometimes take time. Medication decisions should be made with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Practical & Environmental Supports
These can include things like:
-Breaking a large task into smaller steps
-Using external reminders (such as a timer, calendar notifications, or a reminder form a loved one)
-Reducing unnecessary distractions (using ear plugs or headphones in a busy space)
-Creating predictable routines
-Building in movement, snack and bathroom breaks
-Making important information visible rather than relying entirely on memory can all be useful strategies
The goal is to build systems/supports for your life that work with your brain rather than constantly fighting against it.
Counselling Supports
Sometimes, understanding ourselves more accurately is the first step toward treating ourselves with more kindness. Counselling support can help to shift into a more compassionate self-perspective. The language we use to talk about ourselves can impact how we feel, for example, there is a difference between saying “I'm terrible at this” and “This is an area where my brain needs more structure and support.” Or between “I'm lazy” and “Getting started is difficult for me, particularly when a task isn't immediately rewarding.” These may seem like small changes in wording, but self-compassion can change the way we approach a problem.
Therapy may also focus on areas such as:
-Building realistic organizational systems
-Managing procrastination and task initiation
-Developing strategies for time management
-Understanding emotional regulation and building skills
-Reducing shame and self-criticism
-Working through anxiety or low mood
-Improving communication and relationships
-Developing healthier routines
-Understanding patterns that have developed over years of struggling
For some clients, one of the most valuable parts of counselling is learning to distinguish between “I can't” and “I haven't yet found a strategy that works for my brain.” That shift can make a meaningful difference.
Conclusion
A diagnosis, whether ADHD or something else, is not a judgment about your character. It is information that can help guide the support you receive. If you are considering an ADHD assessment, counselling can also be a space to explore your experiences, understand how they affect your life, and develop strategies that support your goals. Seeking an assessment is not a commitment to taking medication or pursuing any particular treatment, it is an opportunity to better understand yourself and your needs. You don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out for help.
Thanks for reading,
Lisa x
Comments