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Are you inattentive and easily distracted? Do you struggle with missing details, forgetting things and having difficulty with organization? Then you may have ADHD with primary inattention (also known as ADD).
The understanding and diagnosis of ADD has come a long way in recent years. A few years ago, the DSM changed the name of ADD to ADHD with primary inattention, but many people still call it ADD. There are treatments and medications for this neuropsychiatric condition, and they have become more effective in counteracting symptoms. Often people have felt that something hasn’t been working for a long time when they seek an assessment and it can provide answers to long-standing questions. In this article, we look at what an ADD assessment is, how it works and the steps to seek help.
ADHD with mainly attention deficit disorder is usually characterized by a combination of:
If you or someone you know has lived with undiagnosed ADD, it may have been a tough journey. But remember, it’s never too late to seek help and get the care you need. The first step is to talk to a healthcare provider who can guide you through the assessment and diagnosis.
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If you or a loved one is showing symptoms of ADD, the first step is to seek professional help. As it may be unclear what this means, we have produced an overview of how an ADD assessment usually works:
An assessment takes about 8-20 hours in total and is completed within 4-12 weeks. Assessments for children usually take a little longer as the school is also involved. In this article we will go through how we proceed at Lavendla. We have short waiting times, so you can get support and an improved quality of life.
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When you recognize signs of ADD in yourself, such as difficulties with attention and concentration, the first step is to contact a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. Therefore, Lavendla will help you with an initial consultation and together we will make a plan for your assessment.
Before the actual assessment process, we start with an assessment interview where we go through your background, your symptoms and other factors that may explain your problems. You will also be asked to complete forms and self-report tests related to your behavior and difficulties.
An assessment usually involves meeting with a licensed psychologist, who conducts interviews and testing, and a psychiatrist who conducts a neurological assessment and orders testing. The different elements of ADD assessment for adults in private practice include:
After the assessment, the doctor and psychologist will summarize the results and make a diagnosis together. You will then receive a thorough review of the results with recommendations for further action. It is important to remember that a diagnosis is a tool for understanding your challenges and strengths, not a label that defines who you are.
After receiving an ADD diagnosis, it is important to discuss treatment options with your doctor or investigating psychologist. If we make a diagnosis, we will discuss different treatment options with you. This may include:
It is also common to combine medication and psychological treatment. For some people, medication does not help, but you can try just going to therapy. This can help you focus better and give you tools to develop skills to improve your planning, organization and stress management. It is also important to work on your self-confidence and self-image and we can help you with that. It is also good to keep in mind that a neuropsychiatric diagnosis also entails certain rights such as study mentoring and longer time on probation.
If you are a parent and have wondered if your child has ADD, we can help. Every child is unique, so it is important that the assessment process is tailored to each child’s specific needs. Symptoms of ADHD can have many causes and before starting an assessment it is important to rule out that the symptoms are not due to other factors in the child’s life. These may include stress, parenting difficulties or bullying. Schools also have a duty to take measures to support students and we have a dialogue with the school, which is also involved in the investigation. An individual plan ensures that your child receives the support that is most effective for them. If you want to proceed with an investigation, we can help.
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Seeking an understanding and possible diagnosis of ADD as an adult can feel like an overwhelming process. But it doesn’t have to be. Often you have felt that something has not worked for a long time and an assessment can provide answers to questions you have been looking for for a long time. With us, you can get help quickly through a first conversation.
ADD is a neuropsychiatric diagnosis of ADHD with predominantly inattentive symptoms. It is a lifelong condition that usually affects concentration and focus.
The assessment usually includes cognitive tests, diagnostic interviews and a thorough medical and psychological history to understand the individual’s history and current situation. When assessing children, both parents and schools are involved in the assessment.
The most common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, with difficulties in planning and organizing activities. You may be easily distracted, forget and lose things, which can cause stress.
Treatment for ADD can include medication, behavioral therapy or a combination of both. The aim is to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Support can also be provided in school as a child and in studies as an adult.
An ADD assessment takes about 8-20 hours and is usually completed within 4-12 weeks. Assessments for children tend to take a little longer.
You are welcome to consult with us at Lavendla to get an estimate of the cost of an ADHD assessment.
You can be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult but symptoms have been present since childhood. Sometimes parents have compensated for the symptoms in childhood and they become more apparent in adulthood as demands and responsibilities increase.
In public health care, a referral from a medical center is needed. Private clinics accept patients without a referral and often have shorter waiting times.
ADD is ADHD with mainly symptoms of inattention and not hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Research shows that ADD has a genetic component. If a parent or sibling has it, there is a chance that other family members have it too.
ADD is often underdiagnosed in girls and women. There are also factors such as hormones that can affect behavior and it has been seen that self-esteem can be greatly affected in women.
If you have symptoms of ADD but also anxiety and depression, you can get treatment for this too. This is usually very effective.
After a diagnosis, it may be time to start treatment. Therefore, we also want to give you a more detailed overview of the steps involved in treatment.
Drug treatment may include stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, or non-stimulant drugs such as Strattera. As each individual is unique, it can take time to find the right dose and type of medication. Medication works for many but not all and for those with milder symptoms, psychological treatment may be sufficient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common method that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your daily life. CBT is available in an adapted form specifically designed for those with a neuropsychiatric diagnosis. You will learn how to organize, plan, manage stress and work on self-confidence.
When you have a neuropsychiatric diagnosis, it is important to have good routines to feel better and manage your symptoms. This can include
A good support system can do wonders for your health. Therefore, family, friends and support groups can give you the extra push you need. There are also training courses for family members that can be helpful.
A neuropsychiatric diagnosis also means certain rights, such as support at school if you are a child and mentoring and more time in exams if you are an adult.
After starting treatment, it is important to follow up regularly with your healthcare provider to see if adjustments need to be made and to make sure you are getting a good effect from the treatment.
As starting treatment can often seem daunting or challenging, the best step in the right direction can be just having a conversation with a psychologist or therapist. That’s why we offer introductory sessions with our therapists where you can be seen over video for 20 or 45 minutes. So you can book a call just to feel how it feels, anything to make the hard stuff easier.