![Inside the Mind of an Adult ADHD Specialist – [INTERVIEW AT PSYCH SCENE HUB]](https://mahendraperera.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Inside-the-Mind-of-an-Adult-ADHD-Specialist-–-INTERVIEW-AT-PSYCH-SCENE-HUB-2.png)
At one point in my private practice, up to 80% of the adult patients I treated had ADHD. As I post frequently on the topic, you may wonder what it’s like being an ADHD specialist. In a recent interview with PsychScene Hub, I discussed what it’s like treating ADHD from a practitioner’s perspective.
The comprehensive interview covers the importance of recognizing ADHD in adulthood and the key steps for effectively managing the condition, revealing the most crucial things you need to know about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, especially for adults with ADHD.
You also get an inside view on how I approach treating adults with ADHD. Some of the challenges when treating ADHD patients is that they often have other illnesses which are often coexisting, including drug and alcohol addiction. This can make treatment for challenging, but not impossible.
Undiagnosed ADHD in adults can lead to other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, especially when the patient feels they are unable to manage the condition. While prescribing stimulants to treat ADHD, I always have to be careful of the patient’s history of drug abuse and carefully monitor any pharmaceutical approach.
Although it can be challenging, the rewards of helping people overcome – what is for some a lifelong and hereto unknown condition – are many. Seeing my patients improve their lives by keeping more stable employment and steadier relationships with loved ones is perhaps the best reward of my work.
From a patient’s perspective, it’s not easy to cope with underdiagnosed and misunderstood ADHD. There’s a mistaken view that the ADHD vanishes as soon as a child becomes an adult. It’s clear this is not the case. While some symptoms may abate in adulthood, ADHD is a lifelong condition.
You can read more about my experiences and “get inside the mind of an ADHD specialist” with the full entire interview at Psych Scene Hub.
Dr Mahendra Perera is a General Psychiatrist who treats adult patients in Melbourne, Australia. Dr Perera has specific interests in ADHD, Mood Disorders and Addiction. In addition working with his patients, he has also contributed to research across a number of specialties and helped many young doctors make their way in the medical field. Learn more about Dr Perera.
Please note: Dr Perera has no financial arrangement with any of the providers listed on the site. These resources are provided as a courtesy to patients, and are not intended as a recommendation or endorsement.