I have attention difficulties. What do I need to know?
Many students struggle with attention and concentration during their academic careers. In part due to the increased media attention devoted to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), many students conclude that they have ADHD. It’s important to know that most students with attention and concentration deficits do not have ADHD.
Many factors can affect attention and concentration, including depression, anxiety, substance use, PTSD, sleep issues, learning differences, and challenges with study habits, time management, or organization. In these cases, addressing the underlying cause is often the best way to improve focus. Support may include therapy, medication, reduced substance use, academic skills coaching, and self-care such as sleep and exercise.
ADHD is much more than an attention and concentration issue. It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood characterized by problems with attention, concentration, executive functioning, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity, which significantly impair functioning across various domains (e.g., school, work, home, social).
What is the process that can lead to an ADHD diagnosis?
Because ADHD can overlap with other conditions, we recommend beginning with a mental health evaluation at UWCC. If ADHD is suspected, students may be referred off campus for a comprehensive ADHD or neuropsychological assessment, as UWCC does not provide these services. Students are responsible for completing the evaluation and ensuring it meets UWCC requirements below.
What treatments are available for ADHD?
ADHD treatment may include therapy, mindfulness, executive functioning and study skills support, and sometimes medication. Medication can help some students, but it is not right for everyone and may cause side effects. Because many people continue to experience symptoms even with medication, a multifaceted approach often leads to the best outcomes.
The UWCC offers medication management for those diagnosed with ADHD with adequate documentation, prioritizing students who have a history of several unsuccessful ADHD medication trials and those with co-occurring disorders.
I am already taking ADHD medication(s). What are my options?
If you’re already taking ADHD medication and are looking to continue it while at school, there are several options:
- Continue care with your current practitioner. Most medications, including stimulants, can be electronically prescribed, even across state lines. This option will require visits home to meet with your clinician.
- Find an off-campus psychiatric provider or primary care provider who feels comfortable prescribing stimulants in the Seattle area. Due to the high demand for psychiatric care in the Seattle area, we recommend starting the process several months prior to moving to Seattle to ensure continuity of care and that you do not run out of medication.
To be considered for ADHD treatment at the UWCC we require a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed/board certified Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Psychiatric ARNP (MN or DNP). Documentation should be on official letterhead and include the clinician’s name, title, license number, certification credentials, phone/fax number, address, signature, and dates of treatment. The evaluation should include the following:
- History and time course of attention and concentration issues and if applicable, hyperactivity
- How symptoms significantly impair functioning across settings (e.g., school, work, social)
- Medical, developmental, educational, psychiatric and psychosocial history
- Performance and Symptom Validity Measures
- Interpretive summary that supports a diagnosis of ADHD and rules out alternative diagnoses or explanations for attention and concentration issues
- Diagnosis of ADHD, including sub-type, and the DSM-V-TR criteria that have been met
For students under the age of 25, we require evaluations to have been performed within the past 5 years.
If you have been prescribed ADHD medication, UWCC requires records from your prescriber. A summary letter is sufficient and should include treatment dates, all medication trials, duration, side effects, and response. The letter must be on official letterhead and include the clinician’s name, title, license number, credentials, contact information, address, and signature.
It is the student’s responsibility to provide the requested information and clinical records to the UWCC for review.
Documents should be faxed or mailed to:
UW Counseling Center
Attn: Psychiatry (Psychiatry Care Coordinator)
1410 NE Campus Pkwy #401, Box 355830
Seattle, WA 98195-5830
Phone: 206-543-1240
Fax: 206-543-4716
Please ensure you have a referral from a Husky Health Center or Counseling Center provider before submitting your ADHD Assessment to the UWCC.
Once all documentation has been received:
- UWCC staff will notify the student through a secure message on the portal.
- Our Psychiatry team will review the case to determine if there is adequate supporting documentation for a diagnosis of ADHD and if the student meets criteria for medication management at the UWCC.
- If your case meets criteria for treatment at the UWCC, we’ll contact you to schedule a psychiatric evaluation and once that has been completed, we’ll discuss treatment options, which may or may not include medication. All final decisions for prescribing are at the discretion of the treating provider.