MUKILTEO, WA

Adult ADHD

Personalized evaluation and ongoing care for adults experiencing disorganization, impulsivity, or executive-function challenges in Mukilteo, WA

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Adult ADHD care at Hagen Health and Absolute Aesthetics in Mukilteo, Washington.

Choose Hagen Health & Absolute Aesthetics

Because You Deserve ADHD Care Without Stigma.

An Adult with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) does NOT simply have an inability to focus, to concentrate or is easily distracted. This is a simplistic and disrespectful characterization of a person with ADHD.

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Adults with ADHD have a marked difficulty with executive function, organization, time management, working memory, task completion, impulsivity, restlessness, managing competing demands and at work and home leading to difficulty maintaining relationships at work and at home. Among other less talked about long term effects of ADHD are the feelings of shame and inadequacy,

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Some people were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood, while others reach adulthood without acknowledging the longstanding difficulties that they have experienced. The signs and symptoms of ADHD do not begin in adulthood, the signs and symptoms must have been present in childhood to be ADHD.^1,2

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Just having trouble concentrating does not mean you have ADHD. More importantly, a lack of concentration is a significant symptom and should not be ignored. A lack of concentration or focus can be attributed to sleep problems, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, medication effects, hormone imbalance, substance use, thyroid disorders, and other medical or mental health conditions. A careful evaluation looks at the pattern and history of your symptoms, how they affect daily functioning, and what condition may explain what you are experiencing.

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When adult ADHD is diagnosed, treatment will be individualized based on your symptoms, health history, priorities, and functional needs. Adult ADHD Care at Hagen Health will include education, practical strategies, medication when clinically appropriate, monitoring, and referral or coordination with other professionals when needed.^1-3

UNDERSTANDING THE CONDITION

What Is Adult ADHD?

Just not being able to focus - is not ADHD. ADHD is much more complex and multifaceted.

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood but may not be formally addressed for the first time until later in life. Symptoms involve executive function, organization, working memory, time awareness, impulsivity, and emotional regulation that interferes significantly with everyday functioning and relationships..¹

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In adults, hyperactivity may be less obvious than it is in children. Instead of visibly excessive activity, an adult may experience impulsivity, internal restlessness, difficulty slowing down, frequent multitasking with difficulty following through, excessive talking, or a persistent need for stimulation, chronic disorganization, procrastination, missed appointments, losing important items, poor time management, or trouble sustaining tasks when overwhelmed or disinterested. Essentially, a persistent pattern of symptoms that interfere to a high degree with functioning in multiple areas of life .¹

signs and symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD affects executive functioning, impulse control, organization, and the ability to regulate activity and effort. Symptoms vary considerably from person to person.¹

Executive-function difficulties may include:

Difficulty listening
insistence when wanting or needing something
Starting tasks but struggling to them
Chronic procrastination
Difficulty organizing tasks or priorities
Poor time awareness or time management
Frequently losing or misplacing belongings
Forgetting appointments, obligations, or everyday tasks
Difficulty following multi-step instructions
Avoiding tasks that require prolonged concentration
Making avoidable mistakes despite understanding the task
Feeling overwhelmed when several responsibilities compete for attention

Hyperactivity or impulsivity may include:

Physical or internal restlessness
Difficulty sitting still for prolonged periods
Frequently needing activity or stimulation
Talking excessively or interrupting
Acting or responding with an immediate impulse of action or verbal response before taking time to consider the situation
Difficulty waiting
Making quick or impulsive decisions based on emotional impetus
Trying to manage several activities simultaneously

Many people experience some of these behaviors occasionally. With ADHD, symptoms are persistent, occur across more than one setting, and cause meaningful impairment in areas such as work, education, relationships, finances, household responsibilities, or other aspects of daily life.

CAUSES & TRIGGERS

What Causes Adult ADHD?

There is no single known cause of ADHD. Research indicates that genetics play an important role, while differences in brain development and neurobiology are also being studied. ADHD is considered a developmental disorder because the underlying symptom pattern begins during childhood, even when the condition is not recognized or diagnosed until adulthood.¹

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An adult diagnosis therefore does not mean that ADHD suddenly developed in adulthood. Some people recognize the pattern only after their responsibilities become more complex, for example, when college, a demanding career, parenthood, household management, or multiple competing responsibilities exceed the coping systems that previously helped them function.

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Family history, childhood behavior, school experiences, previous evaluations, and longstanding patterns of attention and organization can therefore provide important context during an adult ADHD evaluation.

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Symptoms ecome much more exaggerated in times of stress and are often experienced for a period of time after the acute event is past. The use of alcohol, THC and other drugs not intended to treat ADHD may intensify ADHD symptoms. Stress + alcohol, THC and other drugs not intended to treat ADHD may result in very intense symptoms.

Assessment

How Is Adult ADHD Evaluated?

An ADHD evaluation includes a comprehensive clinical assessment and validated screening tools, with review of current symptoms, childhood history, medical and mental health history, medications, sleep, functional impairment, and how symptoms affect daily life. The evaluation also considers other conditions or factors that can cause or contribute to attention and executive-function difficulties, including anxiety, depression, thyroid concerns, sleep problems, medication effects, and substance use when relevant.

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There is no known specific biomarker, laboratory test, brain scan, or questionnaire that by itself establishes a diagnosis of adult ADHD. For adults, diagnostic criteria require an appropriate number of persistent executive functioning and/or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, evidence that several symptoms were present before age 12, symptoms occurring in at least two settings, and clinically meaningful interference with functioning. A standardized adult ADHD screening and rating tool is also used to help provide contextual information, but a positive questionnaire alone does not alone establish the diagnosis.^1-4

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Depending on your history, evaluation may also include information from previous records or people who know you well. Additional medical evaluation or laboratory testing may be appropriate when symptoms or history raise concern for another medical condition.

Individualized approach

Adult ADHD can be managed through several evidence-based approaches.

Treatment is individualized and may include medication, behavioral or psychotherapeutic interventions, education, practical strategies, and support for sleep and daily routines.

Learn about Adult ADHD Care at Hagen Health →

treatment options

What Treatment Options May Be Discussed?

Adult ADHD can be managed through several evidence-based approaches. Treatment is individualized and may include medication, behavioral or psychotherapeutic interventions, education, practical strategies, and support for sleep and daily routines.^1,4

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For information about the medical treatment options provided see Learn about Adult ADHD Care at Hagen Health →

Differential Diagnosis

Conditions That Can Overlap With ADHD

Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, restlessness, poor motivation, and problems completing tasks are not specific to ADHD. Similar symptoms can occur with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, chronic stress, substance use, medication effects, thyroid dysfunction, and other medical or psychiatric conditions. ADHD can also coexist with some of these conditions.^1,3

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That overlap is one reason a comprehensive evaluation matters. The goal is not simply to determine whether symptoms resemble ADHD, but to understand what is causing or contributing to them so treatment addresses the appropriate problem.

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When thyroid symptoms or laboratory findings are relevant, Thyroid Evaluation & Management may form part of the broader medical evaluation. Laboratory testing may also be used when clinically indicated through Laboratory Testing & Clinical Monitoring.

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Self care corner

Developing practical processes and strategies can complement medical or behavioral treatment by reducing the amount of information and organization you have to manage mentally.

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Useful approaches may include maintaining consistent routines, using calendars and reminders, breaking large projects into smaller defined steps, creating visible systems such a "homes" for important belongings, reducing unnecessary distractions, allowing realistic transition time between activities, and protecting adequate sleep.¹

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Strategies should address the areas where ADHD actually interferes with your life. A system that works well for one person may be ineffective for another, so sustainable routines are generally more useful than trying to follow a rigid productivity system.

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Lab Testing & Clinical Monitoring

Comprehensive laboratory and blood testing for women and men, selected according to your symptoms, health history, medications, and treatment goals. I use laboratory results to help evaluate and diagnose medical conditions, identify possible contributors to symptoms, guide treatment decisions, and monitor your health and response to treatment over time.

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REFERENCES

Sources & Further Reading

National Institute of Mental Health. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosing ADHD.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Adult ADHD: Assessment and Treatment.

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