Some people have difficulty being distracted or restless more often than not. For these people this can mean that they forget things, lose things, or are unable to focus on tasks that require sustained attention. Inattention and restlessness can be caused by many different things including: stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, head injury, learning problems, and even dementia. Many of these things can cause similar problems so it is important to be evaluated by a mental health professional to determine the cause of inattention. Many people see a psychologist to determine what the source of their inattention is. A psychologist can do a clinical interview and psychological testing to determine what the origins of the inattention are.
There are some indicators that psychologists use to differentiate between ADHD and other problems. A significant number of ADHD symptoms must begin before age 12 and the symptoms must cause problems in more than one area of life (school, home, work). For example, if you are in your 30's and have never had significant difficulty paying attention before but have become unable to focus at work for the last 2 months, there may be another explanation for your inattention than ADHD. Even those who have had longstanding inattention may be experiencing something like un-diagnosed anxiety or depression. This overlap in symptoms is the main reason why an evaluation by a mental health professional is so important. It can help you to obtain the correct diagnosis and decide on an appropriate course of treatment.
In my office I have seen many people who were misinformed about what ADHD testing involves. Many primary care doctors and/or psychiatrists will give parents a questionnaire that lists symptoms of ADHD like restlessness, inattention, or hyperactivity. While these are helpful in screening for ADHD they may not be conclusive measures of ADHD. ADHD testing may vary some from psychologist to psychologist but many times it will include intelligence and/or learning tests to make sure there are no intellectual or learning difficulties, a test of attention and processing, screenings for other disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD - in addition to a questionnaire like the one they use at the doctor's office. The benefits of psychological testing for ADHD may include:
- More accurate diagnosis
- Awareness of learning issues
- Awareness of strengths and weaknesses
- Awareness of possible other causes or contributing factors
If you are concerned that you, a child, or another loved one may be having attention issues contact a psychologist today to ask about ADHD assessment.
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