Brief Assessment for Adult ADHD and Mood Disorder

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Please read carefully: If you are unable to find an assessment date you should subscribe to the mailing list below and I will contact you via email when dates for the following month are available. Before contacting me, please carefully read the following Frequently Asked Questions.

Are Your Attentional Skills Getting in the Way?

• Does your mind get stuck when you approach a complex task?
• Do you find it difficult to stick to your plans?
• Have you started to avoid or procrastinate on activities that are important to you?
• Do you have a persistent feeling that you are messing up important things in your life?

Perhaps you have felt this way for a long time –  maybe for as long as you can remember or perhaps you can pinpoint the beginning.  You may have tried various fixes, but on the whole they haven’t worked in the long term.  Or maybe they have had other costs or made things worse. It can be hard to go through the motions when you’re not really able to respond as you would like. It’s not like it is supposed to be, the way it seems to be for most other people.

You Are Not Alone

Humans have long had to deal with a constantly changing sensory world.  That’s why we have evolved nervous systems that are really good at switching between lots of different priorities.  Now, many of us urban folk are behind a desk or on the couch for many hours of the day. At the same time, we are exposed to ever more complex planning tasks:  Making progress at work, managing relationships, family issues, financial planning. All of these factors can trigger our sense that we will be judged for screwing up or changing our minds. So it’s not surprising that many of us don’t feel that we are in the driving seat. Eventually, we may choose to keep our heads down or avoid commitment for fear of being judged.

Assessment of Attentional Difficulties

The assessment of adult attention deficit disorder is reliable and efficient when performed by a registered psychologist. I offer a reasonably priced service which involves a clinical interview and psychological tests that can usually be completed in a single session. We will look at your history, and also try to rule out or include other common causes of attentional difficulty, such as an issue with mood regulation. Based on the session I will provide a brief report that summarizes my findings, as well as a diagnosis if appropriate. This is strictly confidential, but you may choose to share it with employers, educators or doctors. I will also provide information about the disorder and about the most promising treatments based on therapy and/or medication. Please note: my opinions are strictly based on the evolving scientific evidence about the condition. I am not personally pro- or anti- any particular treatment approach. Currently, I use the assessment process recommended by CADDRA, the Canadian ADHD advocacy organization.

Assessment of Mood Disorder

Attentional disorders often occur along with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Both can diagnosed and both can be treated. My assessment process screens for the majority of common mood disorders and I will include them in my report as a matter of course. However, more complex mental health concerns such as personality or developmental disorders may require a referral to another mental health professional in order to confirm a diagnosis.

Reliable Sources of Information on ADHD

Our research-based understanding of ADHD has changed over the last few decades, and continues to evolve. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of inaccurate information in circulation. I recommend that you get information from a trusted source, such as one of the following:

CADDRA – Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance – advocacy group.

ADDITUDE – online magazine with podcasts and articles of good quality.

ADHD in 28 Minutes – Dr. Thomas Brown, adult ADHD assessment expert and author.

Dr Russell Barkley Youtube Channel. Dr. Barkley is a retired but very eminent ADHD researcher. This channel is full of really good information.

Medication Sheet – to discuss with your doctor.