Understanding ADHD in Adults

ADHD isn’t just a childhood condition. Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD, experiencing persistent difficulties with time management, completing tasks, maintaining organization, and regulating emotional responses. These challenges can significantly impact work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life. Without proper evaluation and timely ADHD treatment, these symptoms are often mistaken for anxiety, depression, or simply poor habits, making an accurate diagnosis essential.

Our Comprehensive Evaluation Process

At Sacred Psychiatric, we take a holistic approach to ADHD assessment that goes beyond simple questionnaires. Our evaluation process includes multiple components to ensure an accurate diagnosis:

• Clinical interviews and history
  Your evaluation begins with an in-depth discussion of your mental health history, current symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. We explore patterns of behavior from childhood through adulthood. With your permission, we may also request input from family members or partners who can provide valuable perspective on your symptoms.
• Standardized assessment tools
  We utilize validated screening instruments, including the Creyos ADHD Cognitive Assessment and Report, which has two primary components: the Adult ADHD Self- Report Scale (ASRS) and a Cognitive Performance Assessment.

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)

This is a questionnaire that focuses on the most predictive symptoms of ADHD. It’s designed to assess key areas such as:

• Difficulty wrapping up projects
• Challenges with organization and prioritization
• Trouble remembering appointments or commitments
• Difficulty starting tasks that require sustained mental effort
• Physical restlessness or fidgeting
• Feelings of being overly active or driven

Cognitive Performance Assessment

Beyond self-reported symptoms, we assess cognitive markers that are commonly affected by ADHD using the CREYOS cognitive testing. This includes evidence-based, scientifically validated measures provide objective data about your cognitive functioning across key areas:

• Planning – We evaluate your ability to organize, prioritize, and execute complex tasks systematically.
• Spatial working memory – The Token Search Test measures how well you can temporarily hold and manipulate information in your mind while completing tasks.
• Attention – Using Feature Match, we assess your capacity to sustain concentration on relevant details while filtering out distractions.
• Response inhibition – Through Double Trouble (a Stroop-type assessment), we evaluate your ability to control impulsive reactions and maintain focus despite interference.
• Sustained attention to response – The Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) measures how consistently you can maintain mindful, conscious processing of information during repetitive or routine situations as well as the consistency of your response speeds.

These computerized cognitive assessments take approximately 30 minutes to complete and provide percentile scores that compare your performance to others in your age group. The results are compiled into a comprehensive clinical report that helps us identify specific cognitive patterns associated with ADHD.
Importantly, these assessments aren’t stand-alone diagnostic tools. They provide valuable objective data that, when combined with clinical interviews and symptom questionnaires, create a complete picture of your cognitive strengths and challenges. This multi-method approach ensures the most accurate diagnosis and helps us tailor treatment strategies to your specific cognitive profile.

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Ruling Out Other Conditions

A crucial component of accurate ADHD diagnosis is ensuring symptoms aren’t better explained by other conditions. Many mental health disorders share overlapping symptoms with ADHD, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma-related conditions, and sleep disturbances. Our thorough evaluation process helps us distinguish ADHD from these conditions or identify when they coexist, ensuring you receive the most appropriate treatment.

What Happens after Testing

Following your evaluation, we provide clear, actionable results, including:

• A detailed explanation of findings and diagnostic impressions
• Discussion of how your specific symptoms impact daily functioning
• A customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs
• Recommendations for lifestyle modifications, behavioral strategies, and medication options when appropriate

We believe in creating treatment plans that address the whole person—not just managing symptoms with medication but also incorporating behavioral strategies, lifestyle factors like exercise and diet, and ongoing support through regular follow-up appointments.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be validating and empowering. Many adults report feeling relieved to finally understand their struggles aren’t personal failures but symptoms of a manageable condition. With proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals with ADHD can develop effective strategies to harness their strengths while addressing areas of difficulty.

At Sacred Psychiatric, our compassionate providers are committed to supporting you through every step of the evaluation and treatment process. We offer telehealth appointments that allow you to access expert care from the comfort of your home, making it easier than ever to take the first step toward better mental health.

If you suspect you may have ADHD or have been struggling with symptoms that interfere with your work, relationships, or daily life, reach out to Sacred Psychiatric today. Together, we can develop a comprehensive understanding of your challenges and create a treatment plan that helps you thrive.
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