Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is more than just feeling distracted or restless. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect your focus, organization, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
While ADHD is often associated with children, if symptoms are not effectively managed, they can persist into adulthood. Challenges posed by ADHD can limit academic progress, career opportunities, and self-confidence. They are often difficult to navigate without the right understanding, strategies, and support.
At Excel Psychology, our experienced team of psychologists provides thorough ADHD evaluations and tailored treatment plans for adolescents and adults. We help you understand your challenges, find practical strategies to manage symptoms, and access the resources you need to thrive at school, at work, and in daily life.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is a complex condition that affects how your brain manages thoughts, actions, and emotions. One of its most significant impacts is on your executive functioning skills.
These are a set of mental skills that help you plan ahead, stay organized, manage time, remember information, and manage impulse control.
When these skills are disrupted, everyday tasks can feel harder, even when you have the motivation and ability to do them. For example:
- Difficulties with attention regulation may mean losing track of conversations, skipping steps in multi-part tasks, or jumping between activities before one is finished.
- Challenges with impulse control can result in interrupting others, acting before thinking through consequences, or making quick decisions that lead to avoidable problems.
- Hyperactivity, for some, may show up as physical restlessness, while for others it’s more of an internal sense of being “on the go” mentally.
These differences in brain functioning do not reflect laziness or a lack of intelligence. They are rooted in how certain brain networks develop and process information.
Without the right strategies, ADHD can influence your ability to maintain healthy daily routines.
Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD can look different from person to person, but it generally falls into one of three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. While some people experience one pattern more strongly, others can have a blend of both.
The way your symptoms show up can change over time. Factors like your age, lifestyle, and personal coping strategies all shape how symptoms appear.
Inattentive Presentation
You may find it hard to stay focused, especially on tasks that require sustained mental effort. It might feel like your mind drifts off, even when you want to pay attention.
Common signs linked to inattention may include:
- Frequently losing or misplacing items needed for daily activities
- Struggling to follow step-by-step directions without repetition
- Being easily sidetracked by unrelated thoughts or external stimuli
- Starting projects but having trouble finishing them
- Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or important details
- Losing track of details, instructions, or belongings
- Putting off tasks that demand sustained mental effort
Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
Impulsivity can lead to quick actions without thinking through the consequences. Signs of hyperactivity or impulsivity may include:
- Feeling unsettled or driven to keep moving
- Difficulty staying seated in situations that require stillness
- Speaking out before others have finished
- Making snap decisions without fully weighing the outcome
- Finding it hard to wait for your turn in conversations or activities
These symptoms can also manifest as an inner restlessness, tension, or a drive to be constantly busy.
Combined Presentation
In some cases, you may have a combined presentation where you experience symptoms in both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. This can mean balancing challenges with focus and organization alongside high energy levels and impulsive tendencies.
ADHD in Women
For women, ADHD may not always fit the “classic” picture people expect. Instead of the loud, high-energy behaviors typically associated with the condition, it may appear in more understated ways.
The hyperactive or impulsive behaviors often linked to ADHD are more visible in boys and tend to be noticed early. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to lean toward the inattentive presentation, which can make it harder to identify.
Symptoms of ADHD for women may appear as forgetfulness, difficulty staying organized, mental drifting during conversations, or ongoing struggles with time management.
That is not to say hyperactivity or impulsivity are absent, just that they can show up in quieter ways. Instead of obvious fidgeting or nonstop movement, you might feel an underlying restlessness, experience racing thoughts, find it hard to fully relax, or you may make quick decisions without much planning.
Since these traits are less disruptive to others, they can go unnoticed for years, leading to later diagnoses. You might be described as “spacey” or “forgetful,” when in reality, you are working hard to manage constant mental distractions.
At Excel Psychology, we recognize how ADHD can present differently in women and provide evaluations that take these subtle patterns into account. We make sure you get an accurate diagnosis and the right support from the start.
ADHD Testing & Diagnosis
Getting clarity about whether you have ADHD and what type it might be is the first step toward the right support.
At Excel Psychology, we understand that an accurate ADHD diagnosis requires more than a single test. We take a thorough, thoughtful approach, combining multiple tests, tools, and perspectives to ensure you get answers you can trust.
Our team performs detailed psychological testing for patients of all ages. Our tests give you clear answers and a deeper understanding of your unique challenges and strengths.
We use a thorough, multi-step process for ADHD testing that may include:
- Performance-based tests, such as computerized continuous performance tasks or written assessments of attention.
- Self-report questionnaires to help us understand how symptoms affect your daily life.
- Detailed clinical interviews to gather a full personal and family history, including your experiences in school, work, and relationships.
- Input from those who know you well, such as parents, partners, or teachers, to add valuable perspective.
- Clinical observation of behaviors and patterns that may not be captured in questionnaires alone.
When testing adults, we may also look at patterns from childhood. This can include looking at your school history, asking about behaviors you experienced as a child, or reviewing past records when available. ADHD symptoms can begin in childhood, and understanding your early experiences helps us provide the most accurate diagnosis.
During the testing process, we will also rule out other possible conditions that can mimic or overlap with attention difficulties. This can include conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning differences, and sleep disorders.
Our team can also provide trusted second opinions if you have received an unclear diagnosis elsewhere or want confirmation before starting treatment.
Our Approach to ADHD Treatment
Living with ADHD can bring many daily challenges, but with the right support, you can develop skills and strategies to manage symptoms effectively. At Excel Psychology, we focus on evidence-based, practical approaches that address both your core symptoms and the everyday challenges ADHD can bring.
We provide psychotherapy or counseling to help you build lasting skills that make work, school, and relationships more manageable and fulfilling. Your treatment plan may include sessions to help you:
- Improve attention and focus
- Strengthen organization and planning skills
- Manage impulsivity and hyperactivity
- Build emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Enhance communication and relationship skills
These sessions go beyond talking about symptoms; they provide structured guidance and problem-solving tools tailored to your unique needs.
If additional support is required, our team of psychologists may connect you with trusted specialists, such as occupational therapists, in our referral network.
For students and adults facing important academic or professional milestones, we can also provide the documentation needed to request exam accommodations, such as extended time or other support, for high-stakes exams. This ensures you have a fair opportunity to demonstrate your abilities without the limitations your ADHD symptoms might cause.
Expert ADHD Testing & Treatment in Utah
Managing ADHD is a lifelong process, but with the right guidance, you can better understand your strengths, address your challenges, and achieve your personal and professional goals.
At Excel Psychology, we combine expert psychological testing and individualized psychotherapy to provide the clarity and support you need. If you are ready to take the next step toward effective ADHD management, contact us today.
With convenient locations in Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, we make specialized mental health care accessible throughout Utah. To schedule an appointment, please call our office or complete our online form.
