Maybe it started with your child’s evaluation, and as the psychologist described the symptoms you recognized yourself in every sentence. Maybe a new job with less structure made things fall apart that used to hold together. Maybe you’ve lost count of the bills paid late, the half-finished projects, the meetings where you missed what was said because your mind was three topics ahead.
Plenty of adults start to wonder about ADHD in their twenties, forties, or later. It is a reasonable question to ask, and there is a clear way to get it answered.
Why it can show up now
ADHD begins in childhood, but it isn’t always noticed then. A child who was bright, well supported, or quiet in class may have gotten through school without anyone raising a concern. Strategies that worked in a structured setting can stop working when life gets more demanding: a promotion, a baby, graduate school, caring for an aging parent. The difficulties were often there all along. What changed is how much the person has to manage at once.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that it is never too late to seek a diagnosis.
What an adult ADHD evaluation looks at
Because ADHD starts in childhood, an adult evaluation looks backward as well as at the present. NIMH explains that symptoms must have started before age 12, so diagnosis depends in part on reports of past behavior. Evaluators often ask about school experiences and may want to see old report cards or talk with someone who knew you as a child, like a parent or older sibling.
The evaluation also looks carefully at whether something else could explain what you’re experiencing. Trouble focusing can come from many sources, including anxiety, depression, poor sleep, medical issues, or a learning disorder. ADHD can also occur alongside these. NIMH notes that providers review mood and medical history to rule out other explanations. This is one of the main reasons a careful evaluation is worth the time.
Depending on who does it, an evaluation may include:
- A detailed interview about your current life and your history
- Standardized rating scales, sometimes completed by you and by someone who knows you well
- Cognitive and attention testing
- Screening for other conditions that can look similar
Who does adult ADHD evaluations
According to NIMH, a primary care provider or a mental health professional can evaluate adults for ADHD. A primary care visit may be a quick way to start the conversation.
A psychologist who does psychological evaluations can offer a more comprehensive assessment. That can be especially helpful when the picture is complicated: when you also wonder about a learning disability, anxiety, or autism, when you’ve been treated for something else that didn’t fully help, or when you need detailed documentation, such as for workplace accommodations or accommodations on a licensing or graduate admissions exam. A psychological evaluation usually ends with a written report and a feedback session where the psychologist explains the results and recommendations.
How to prepare before you book
A little preparation makes the evaluation more useful and can save time.
Gather what you have from childhood. Report cards with teacher comments are surprisingly helpful, since comments like “capable but doesn’t complete work” or “needs reminders to stay on task” show what adults noticed at the time. Ask a parent or sibling whether they’re willing to fill out a questionnaire or talk with the evaluator.
Write down specific examples from your current life. “I missed two rent payments this year even though I had the money” is more useful than “I’m disorganized.”
Call your insurance company before booking. Ask whether psychological testing is covered, whether you need a referral or prior authorization, and whether the psychologist is in network. Some evaluation practices are private pay only and can give you paperwork to submit for out-of-network reimbursement.
When you contact a practice, ask a few practical questions. How many appointments does the evaluation take? Is any of it available by telehealth? Will you get a written report, and is a feedback session included? How long is the wait?
What an online quiz can and can’t tell you
Online screening quizzes can help you decide whether an evaluation is worth pursuing. They can’t diagnose ADHD or tell you what else might be going on. If a quiz or a social media video made you think “that’s me,” take that as a reason to talk with a professional.
Find an adult ADHD evaluation
Find My Psychologist is a directory built only for psychologists who do psychological evaluations and testing. You can search findmypsychologist.com by evaluation type, including adult ADHD evaluations, and see which psychologists offer telehealth across state lines through PSYPACT. We’re starting in the Chicago area and expanding from there!