As test accuracy and availability continue to improve, more and more people are seeking out reliable attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) testing and care. For individuals in Temecula and Palm Desert, early and accurate diagnosis has improved quality of life, academic success, and emotional well-being.

What Are ADHD and ADD?

ADHD, previously referred to as ADD, is a common but often misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition characterized by decreased focus, impulse control, and ability to manage hyperactivity. Unfortunately, the condition has been stigmatized by association with “trendy” mental health issues, as well as an association with immaturity, laziness, and assumed overdiagnosis. At the same time, however, awareness of ADHD and growing demand for accurate testing has gained support in Southern California.

The Importance of Accurate and Accessible Testing

Part of the stigma around ADHD is an assumption of misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis. As testing availability increases, with ADHD testing available in Temecula and other Southern California cities, diagnoses naturally increase. An increase in awareness and access means those who have gone undiagnosed are empowered with understanding.

“The conclusion is that we are not seeing a rise in ADHD, nor an epidemic,” Dr. Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz wrote in an article for Psychology Today. “People had ADHD all along; what the world is witnessing is simply that all those who had been suffering in silence for years are finally getting the help that they desperately needed.”

Now, children, teens, and adults—a demographic in which ADHD was assumed to disappear—have access to the accurate testing they need. By undergoing an ADHD screening or assessment, a combination of interviews, questionnaires, behavioral testing, and physical exams, ADHD can be diagnosed and treated to help improve daily function. This isn’t about some social media trend, but an increased understanding of ADHD as a condition.

Finding the Right Professional Support

While ADHD testing may be growing in availability, it is still important to find specialists in the field. Rather than visiting a general clinic, one should seek out professional ADD testing in Temecula or an ADHD Specialist in Palm Desert. If you feel that symptoms of ADHD are impacting your daily life, it may be the right time to seek help from a reputable clinic or support service.

“Many adults still struggle with ADHD symptoms,” Dr. Chanaz continued, “but these symptoms appear differently than in children due to the responsibilities of everyday life, and a sheer need to survive. Instead, adults with undiagnosed ADHD find non-sustainable coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or binge eating, and many have increased rates of anxiety and depression.”

Breaking the Stigma Around ADHD

Until recently, professionals and the public alike assumed that ADHD disappeared in adults. This has led to a widespread lack of diagnosis, but simultaneously exacerbated stigma around “trendy” conditions and negative associations. It is important to examine scientific sources when reaching a conclusion about the perceived spread of ADHD, which reflects the increased accuracy and accessibility of testing.

“To obtain a diagnosis, people have to go through hours-long questionnaires, EEG recordings, IQ tests, and several interviews with psychiatrists and neuropsychologists,” Dr. Chanaz explained. “To put it simply, one does not simply walk into a clinic and get diagnosed.”

Taking a Step Forward

Awareness, accessibility, and accuracy in ADHD testing are on the rise, and there are treatment options available to those who would have otherwise suffered in silence. In cities like Temecula and Palm Desert, there are local testing services for anyone who suspects they may have ADHD or has experienced symptoms associated with the condition. An accurate diagnosis means taking a step forward in treating this condition.

Written in partnership with Tom White