Updated On: June 13, 2023
Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenge because many of its signs may also be present in several other mental health conditions. To further complicate things, a number of common adult ADHD symptoms might be considered “normal” behaviors, at least when seen in moderation. That said, if you’re asking yourself how to get diagnosed with ADHD, you’ve probably already arrived at a point where you know that an ADHD symptom or two is affecting you, or your child’s, life.
You can find a lot written on casual internet sites about how to deal with ADHD, and most people you know have opinions about the topic, but it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional if you’re looking for how to get an ADHD diagnosis. It’s a good idea to take a list of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms to your appointment with you, so you can discuss all your concerns from the start. Never try to self-diagnose ADHD (or any other mental health condition) and go through proper ADHD testing channels.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about diagnosing ADHD and how to get diagnosed with ADHD with Talkspace.
The journey to an ADHD evaluation and diagnosis (or, on the flip side, to determining that ADHD is not at play) starts with a visit to a medical professional. This might be a psychiatrist, a pediatrician, a psychologist, or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializing in ADHD testing. Seeking out a medical professional with experience in identifying and treating adult ADHD is always smart and can help ensure you get an accurate diagnosis.
The initial consultation will generally involve some or all of the following:
Unfortunately, there isn’t just one single test a doctor can perform to definitively confirm someone has ADHD. The process might take some time, but if you’re struggling, it will be well worth it to get started on the path toward a treatment plan. Although there is no “cure” for ADHD, there are several very successful ways to treat it.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults can be somewhat more challenging than it is for children. Often adults will notice symptoms like depression or anxiety before they consider their impulsiveness and/or inattention. This can be in part because adults may have had symptoms most of their lives but learned incredible coping skills to survive.
When determining how to diagnose ADHD in adults, clinicians will typically look at someone’s life issues in a broad sense, rather than focusing solely on a single ADHD symptom that brought them to the appointment.
The first step any doctor or medical professional will take in diagnosing ADHD is accessing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
The diagnostic criteria presented there helps identify mental health conditions using an accurate, consistent guide. To diagnose ADHD, children aged 12 and younger must show 6 of the 9 criteria; adults must exhibit 5. For adults and children alike, symptoms must be present for 6 months or longer and interfere with an ability to maintain normal daily function.
While you can take online ADHD tests to learn more about your symptoms, you shouldn’t rely on these to gauge whether you or your child has ADHD. Trained medical professionals can identify the signs of this condition and differentiate them from behavioral problems or inattentive symptoms of another condition.
The interview phase of an ADHD treatment plan is one of the most important, and since this process doesn’t rely solely on simple “yes or no” questions that would be easy to evaluate or score, it takes a trained eye to interpret them.
However, having said that, it’s still important to be aware of some of the signs of ADHD if you suspect you or your child may have it. Some of the things to look out for include:
We should note that just because someone has some of the above signs doesn’t necessarily mean they have ADHD. This is why looking at the context of behaviors to make a determination is necessary.
“Understanding the symptoms of ADHD is important to figure out if someone needs to be further evaluated by a professional for ADHD. If there’s a suspicion that it may be possible, consider the symptoms that are concerning and look to see if a medical professional has self-assessments to gauge the possibility. It’s important that an internet search isn’t the only form of identifying symptoms of ADHD.”
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), MS Minkyung Chung
As we’ve already noted, only a medical professional is qualified to diagnose ADHD, even though it’s a common condition that’s casually discussed and well-known by almost everyone today. A mental health expert can make a final diagnosis and rule anything else out before coming up with an ADHD treatment plan.
The doctor or trained professional you see will also want to determine if any comorbid conditions exist, like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or depression — all of which are common with ADHD and can only be assessed by a professional.
The good news is there are effective treatments for ADHD. Some treatment plans include medication; other methods do not. Working with a mental health professional or team can substantially increase the effectiveness of a given treatment plan. If you’re concerned, schedule an appointment with someone who has experience treating ADHD.
“Once a diagnosis has been made, it’s important to go over the options available to help manage the symptoms of ADHD. Medication is often a helpful aid in managing some of the symptoms of ADHD, but it shouldn’t be the only option. Working with a mental health professional who specializes in ADHD (childhood and adult) will be important. Not all ADHD diagnoses need medication.”
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), MS Minkyung Chung
Some of the effective types of therapy for ADHD include:
When ADHD medication is used, some of the prescription drugs approved for treating ADHD symptoms include:
It can take time to find the medication or combination of medications that works best to treat different types of ADHD, as everyone is unique. It’s also important to stress that not all treatment plans for ADHD include medication, and that when medication is suggested, it’s generally most effective when used in conjunction with counseling.
As previously discussed above, the most important step if you’re asking yourself how to diagnose ADHD is making an appointment with a mental health professional who specializes in treating this condition. While diagnosing ADHD in adults and children is a process, it’s well worth the wait if it means getting a diagnosis and treatment plan in place that can change the course of your life.
When symptoms of ADHD are disrupting or affecting your quality of life, it’s time to make that appointment. Your primary care physician can make a recommendation, or you can take the first steps by reaching out to a therapist directly or through an online platform, like Talkspace, to get help.
Talkspace is therapy unlike any other. By offering convenient, affordable, and specialized online therapy that’s tailored to you, your needs, and your condition, Talkspace can be instrumental in getting the help you need.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 2021. Accessed June 18, 2022.
Minkyung Chung has over 10 years of experience and specializes in multicultural issues, specifically issues unique to the Asian American population. She enjoys working within the Asian American community to help reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services and normalize the process of it. Her passion for this topic has led her to focus her research efforts in examining how to help the Asian American community.