How does a psychiatrist diagnose ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (formerly known as ADD) often goes undiagnosed in adults. Symptoms of adult ADHD include:
Routinely getting distracted even during enjoyable activities
Significant difficulty completing minor but important tasks
Regularly spending more than ten minutes looking for something lost
Forgetting appointments and obligations despite serious consequences
Feedback about not listening in conversation, forgetting what was discussed, interrupting other people, talking excessively, or speaking too loudly
Great difficulty waiting: in line, in traffic, on hold
Trouble with fidgeting, remaining seated, and staying in one place
Interpersonal conflict due to the above issues
A level of achievement in work or school that is below true ability
Does Dr. Smith do testing for ADHD?
Dr. Smith considers numerous factors when evaluating for ADHD. Formal neuropsychological testing can be helpful, but it is neither necessary nor sufficient to make a diagnosis of ADHD. Take a short ADHD screening test to measure your symptoms. (Responses are anonymous.)
What medications does Dr. Smith prescribe for ADHD?
The most commonly used medications for ADHD are Adderall and Ritalin, also known as stimulants. There are medications for ADHD that are not stimulants, including Strattera, Wellbutrin, and Intuniv.
Does medication for ADHD work?
Stimulant medications for ADHD have some of the most dramatic results in psychiatry. Patients routinely report substantial positive changes in relationships, work, daily functioning, and general quality of life with Adderall or Ritalin. Prescribing stimulant medication for ADHD is one of the easiest and highest-impact interventions in psychiatry.
Are medications for ADHD addictive?
Many misconceptions exist about stimulant medication for ADHD:
They are not performance-enhancing drugs. They make people with ADHD normal.
They do not get you high when taken as prescribed.
They are not addictive when taken as prescribed.
They do not require higher doses to keep working over the long-term.
They do not impair creativity. They actually tend to improve creative output.
They are still necessary outside of school and work.
Unfortunately, public misconceptions about Adderall and Ritalin commonly result in substandard care for people who have ADHD. But the power to personalize stimulants to optimize care is the biggest upside of having ADHD. Prescribing stimulants is a delicate art. Every patient has different needs. As an ADHD specialist, Dr. Smith has the knowledge and tools to individualize ADHD treatment for each patient.
How do I talk to Dr. Smith about this?
Contact Dr. Smith for evaluation and treatment of ADHD.