Change and Maintain Psychological Services provides in-person appointments in Lexington, MA, and online appointments to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a developmental disorder that starts and is typically diagnosed in childhood, but a significant number of adults who may have ADHD were not diagnosed during childhood. Some children were bright enough to do well in school despite their restlessness and poor attention, so no one noticed there was a problem. Others grew up in chaotic families, where their problems were not a priority or were attributed to other psychiatric conditions. Sometimes when these children become adults, they notice they are having trouble adjusting at work or in social settings because they are impatient, easily distracted, or impulsive. 

Symptoms of ADHD in adults include:

• Difficulty paying attention in meetings or classes
• Disorganization 
• Difficulty prioritizing
• Poor time management skills
• Problems focusing on a task or listening in conversation
• Unproductive multitasking
• Excessive activity or restlessness
• Poor planning
• Impulsiveness
• Low frustration tolerance
• Frequent mood swings
• Impatience and irritability
• Procrastination
• Problems following through and completing tasks

Medications and psychotherapy can be beneficial for people with adult ADHD, but getting an accurate diagnosis is important. Medications that are helpful for ADHD can be unhelpful or even detrimental for people with other conditions. Many primary care physicians and psychiatric prescribers may want you to have a thorough psychological evaluation and accurate diagnosis before prescribing ADHD medications.

ADHD evaluations are similar to the initial evaluation/psychiatric diagnostic evaluation but include a structured interview, additional questionnaires and objective testing. The initial evaluation appointment is typically 60-90 minutes long. Following the initial appointment, I'll send you a link to a test you can complete at home using a desktop or laptop computer (if you don't have the equipment needed to do the test at home, we can schedule an appointment for you to complete the test in my office). After the interview and testing are completed, I prepare and provide you with a report that you can share with other providers. If the evaluation does not suggest a diagnosis of ADHD, I’ll let you know what diagnoses, if any, are suggested.

The fee for the adult ADHD evaluation is $550, which includes the initial interview, testing, and a 30-minute follow up visits, and evaluations are available via telehealth. Insurance may cover part of the cost. If you are interested in learning more or scheduling an evaluation, please contact me by email, phone, or client portal. 

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