Previously easy to meet deadlines are now often missed due to lack of consistent focus. The common explanation being burnout means to take a while off or lighten up the load. However for many high-functioning adults, what appears to be burnout may in fact be something that is more biologically created (adult ADHD). The treatment for this condition is not the same as for a burned out individual.
While you continue to consider your individual to be ‘burnt out,’ you will not only continue to struggle with this difficulty, but will also continue to be limited by the level of your dysfunction.
ADHD in adults often presents as chronic burnout or executive dysfunction in high-pressure work environments. Specialized neurodevelopmental assessments are provided at Stanford Medical Center located in Abu Dhabi to identify clinical ADHD and work related stress.
ADHD vs. Burnout: Know the Difference
| Problem | ADHD | Burnout |
| Time | Childhood (often undiagnosed) | Develops after sustained pressure |
| Durantion | Life long pattern | Tied to a specific role or period |
| Focus difficulties | Present even for enjoyable tasks | Mostly work-specific |
| Memory Issues | Structural working memory deficits | Stress-related, situational |
| Rest response | Doesn’t resolve with rest | Often partially improves |
| Organizational problems | Across all life domains | Concentrated in work |
| Impulsivity | Present in decisions and speech | Rarely a primary feature |
Neurocognitive Diagnostic Modeling: More Than a Checklist
Determining whether a person has adult ADHD requires a different technique (i.e., Neurocognitive Diagnostic Modelling) than simply completing a questionnaire to assess their symptoms.
At Stanford Medical Center, the assessment consists of the following:
- A clinical interview and creation of a history map allowing the clinician to trace and record the location of symptoms beginning with when they first appeared in childhood and continuing until the present day.
- An examination to determine where the prefrontal cortex is breaking down in regard to task initiation, attention, working memory, or regulation of emotions.
- An examination to determine whether or not another coexisting diagnosis, such as anxiety, depression, or a sleep disorder, is present and may mimic or mask symptoms of ADHD.
- An examination of the patient’s occupational environment as it relates to deficits in executive function.
The above assessments are administered by Dr. Haytham Gindeel-PsyD, MRCPsych (UK), Consultant Psychiatrist with 26 years of experience assessing individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or complex psychiatric disorders.
The Capital Pace: ADHD in Abu Dhabi’s Executive World
Leaders in Abu Dhabi’s government, diplomatic community and private sector adopt modern policies. They manage many portfolios and work in a highly professional atmosphere where they are rewarded for working quickly and precisely. This is what might be termed Capital Pace.
This atmosphere creates a greater incidence of undiagnosed ADHD, as well as complicating its identification. Many people develop compensatory systems that allow them to achieve their duties – until they either undergo a change in leadership or sudden additional demands exhaust their compensatory systems.
The objective of treatment is not only to manage symptoms; it is also to build professional resilience – to have the structural capability to meet expected performance requirements, without experiencing the debilitating pressure of creating compensatory systems for achievement.
Treatment at Stanford Medical Center
Three types of treatment for Adult ADHD exist:
Pharmacological Treatment
When clinically appropriate, pharmacological treatment is delivered under Department of Health License MF257, in accordance with a structured review.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Using an adapted version of CBT specifically for individuals with Executive Function Deficits, including problem areas such as procrastination, time blindness, and emotional dysregulation.
Occupational Integration
Practical recommendations based on the patient’s current schedule and workplace demands.
All treatments are delivered at Stanford Medical Center located in Al Bateen. We have all the facilities you need to get on the path of a healthy lifestyle. All personnel are senior level professionals, so know that you will be guided well
