Ellen is a 29-year-old woman who came to Focus Center requesting testing for ADHD. Ellen said that throughout school, although she got good grades, she struggled with managing her time, friendships, getting in trouble in class for talking too much, and being impulsive. She had completed her BA and earned a teaching credential but was never rehired at the same school. In addition, Ellen said she had numerous boyfriends but they never lasted more than 3 months. Sometimes, Ellen said, she was as much as an hour late for work, that she was unable to stay organized, and she had begun smoking weed because she thought it would help her focus. We, at Focus Center, interviewed her, her family and a boyfriend; we included a friend and a previous co-worker in the process, at Ellen’s request, and she completed a broad range of tests.
Ellen did in fact have ADHD, and now that she was formally diagnosed, Ellen felt more equipped to manage her condition with the guidance, understanding, resources, referrals, and support we provided.
