Adult ADHD or Burnout? How a Neuropsychological Evaluation Can Tell the Difference

Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults can resemble those of burnout, but a neuropsychological evaluation can help diagnose which problem you have. Here’s how.

An attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis is usually made when a person is young. Often, it’s discovered when children start school and struggle to understand or conform to the rules.

Some children outgrow the disorder, but many don’t, and their symptoms continue into adulthood. People can also be diagnosed for the first time when they’re adults and have difficulties at home and/or in the workplace.

At Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, in Naples, Florida, board-certified neurologist Dr. Cory Lamar can help adults who are struggling with possible ADHD symptoms to receive a definitive diagnosis through neuropsychological testing and evaluation. Here’s how the process works.

What is adult ADHD, and what are its symptoms?

ADHD has three forms:

1. Predominantly inattentive

Most symptoms in this category fall under inattention. The person may have trouble focusing and staying on a task, as well as difficulty getting and staying organized.

2. Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive

Most symptoms in this category involve being hyperactive and/or impulsive. Hyperactive individuals have too much energy, are constantly moving, and may engage in disruptive behavior.

Those who are impulsive tend to act without thinking about the results of their behavior beforehand.

3. Combined

This type combines inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The person meets the criteria for both types of ADHD.

ADHD occurs more often in boys than in girls, and the behaviors differ between the genders. Boys tend to be more hyperactive, while girls tend to be more inattentive.

Many adults with ADHD who weren’t diagnosed as children aren’t even aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks are a challenge.

ADHD symptoms in adults also usually aren’t as clear-cut as they are in children. Hyperactivity may become more like restlessness, and inattentiveness may become poor organizational skills and ineffective time management.

Adults may also find it difficult to focus and prioritize, often leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. Their lack of impulse control can range from simple impatience waiting in a line or driving in traffic to violent mood swings and outbursts of anger disproportionate to the situation.

Adults with ADHD may struggle with unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, and low self-esteem, and they may have other mental health issues.

What is a neuropsychological evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation refers to a number of tests that providers use to get information about how your brain works and understand the relationship between your brain health and behavior, as well as between mood and thinking (cognition). They can help your provider determine if you’re just suffering from burnout or if you have ADHD.

Neuropsychological testing doesn’t diagnose a condition directly, but it can provide more information about problems you’re having with mood and cognition, including:

Alzheimer’s disease
Brain tumors
Dementia
Epilepsy
Learning disabilities
ADHD
Transient ischemic attack and stroke
Traumatic brain injury
Movement disorders
Multiple sclerosis

Dr. Lamar may recommend an evaluation if you present with poor attention and concentration, poor judgment/decision-making, or trouble staying organized or completing tasks.

The information from the evaluation, taken as a whole, can lead your provider to a particular diagnosis, which then informs proper treatment.

How do you treat adult ADHD?

Standard treatments for adult ADHD generally involve a combination of medication, most commonly stimulants; education; skills training; and psychological counseling. While the regimen can help with the symptoms of ADHD, it can’t cure the disorder.

Wondering if you’re experiencing burnout or if it’s really adult ADHD? Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, can help. Call our office at 239-667-5878 to set up a consultation with Dr. Lamar, or book online with us today.