Private Virtual Therapy For Clients in North Carolina (NC)
Adult ADHD Assessments
Do you wonder if you have ADHD, but you don't know where to begin? It makes sense.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), while not the best term, nor necessarily a "disorder," rather an alternative processing brain system, is often unseen or misdiagnosed in women and people in female-identifying bodies. The field of women's health has historically had many of its own gaps and deficits, as applicable to girls and young women being evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD. Neurodiversity and women's health is a growing body/field of research. We are slowly moving towards getting girls and women the proper assessments and necessary supports that they need.
Assessment Process
What to Expect in an Assessment:
The assessment process includes several factors:
Diagnostic Clinical Interview
1.) Symptom review
2.) Historical evidence
3.) Childhood history
Functional Impairment Assessment
1.) Two-Setting Impact
Standardized Rating Scales
1.) Utilizing the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) or Conners' Adult Rating Scales (CARS) are used to measure the severity and frequency of your symptoms
Differential Diagnosis
1.) Ruling out your symptoms to ensure your symptoms are not better explained by other mimicking conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or major depressive disorder (MDD), and others.
Assessment sessions typically take between 1-3 sessions, and up to 5 if needed.
An ADHD diagnosis is not inherently necessary to receive help. Some individuals will not meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, and some individuals prefer to not have a diagnosis on record, but rather, they still would like to receive an assessment for clarity. Whether or not a person qualifies for a diagnosis, or would prefer to not have an ADHD diagnosis on file, individuals seeking an assessment can receive information and direction for a path forward.
Common Adhd-related experiences
Internal Restlessness & Procrastination
Feeling a constant, agitated mental pace, sometimes appearing as activation in the body, rather than physical bouncing off the walls. Experiencing life with the feeling of anxiety as a baseline. The sense of "putting things off" because they are uninteresting or overwhelming.
Time-Blindness, Getting Started Yet Not Finishing
Chronic difficulty estimating how long tasks will take, resulting in a frustrating cycle of lateness. Easily initiating projects or hobbies, but losing interest as soon as the novelty wears off.
Verbal Hyperactivity, & Impulsivity
Often described as being highly talkative, frequently interrupting others, or having a stream-of-consciousness speaking style. Making spontaneous financial purchases or blurting things out without filtering.
Zoning Out & Zoning-In
Daydreaming or frequently losing track of conversations while appearing to pay attention. Becoming deeply absorbed in a highly stimulating task for hours while completely neglecting basic needs or other responsibilities.
Chronic Disorganization & Perfectionism
Repeatedly misplacing essential items (keys, phones) and struggling with the daily maintenance of living spaces. Spending an extra long time on tasks to make sure that you aren't missing details or important information.
Social Friction & Overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed in crowded settings or struggling to maintain casual friendships. Feeling "different" than other people.
Masking
Neurodiverse women and folx in female-identifying bodies have often become so used to wearing societal masks to "fit in" with the global majority that they question who they really are, and may only seek an evaluation because they report, "No longer being able to keep up with life, and the overwhelm is causing me to crash."
Masking can have detrimental effects on the human body and psyche over time. It is completely possible to learn about your identity and your differences and to begin to mask less than you have for many years or decades. You are worth receiving the right support and getting the information that you need.