An adult ADHD assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, behaviour, and how they affect your daily life. It includes:

Clinical interview: A detailed conversation about your current difficulties, medical history, and any history of childhood ADHD symptoms.

Questionnaires: You’ll complete standardized questionnaires assessing your attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. A close family member or partner will also be asked to provide input as well.

You might benefit from an ADHD assessment if you consistently struggle with issues like poor focus, disorganization, difficulty completing tasks, forgetfulness, impulsivity, or restlessness. These symptoms can impact your work, relationships, or daily responsibilities. If these challenges have been present since childhood and continue into adulthood, an assessment could clarify whether ADHD is the underlying cause.

An adult ADHD assessment typically takes between 2 to 4 hours. This can be completed in one longer session or split across multiple appointments. The exact duration may vary depending on the depth of the evaluation and whether additional testing is required.

Yes, ADHD can be diagnosed at any age. Many adults with ADHD were either undiagnosed in childhood or experienced mild symptoms that became more noticeable later in life. It is common for adults to seek an assessment when they notice ongoing issues with focus, organization, time management, or impulsivity that affect their daily lives.

Yes, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that starts in childhood, so to receive an ADHD diagnosis as an adult, there must be evidence that symptoms were present in childhood, even if they weren’t identified at the time. This can be determined through personal recollections, reports from family members, or reviewing past records, such as school reports.

If you’re diagnosed with ADHD, your healthcare provider will discuss treatment options with you. These may include:

Medication: Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help manage symptoms.

Behavioural therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or coaching can help develop strategies for managing time, organization, and other challenges.

Lifestyle changes: Techniques such as mindfulness, regular exercise, and improving sleep habits can also support symptom management.

Receiving a formal ADHD diagnosis can provide clarity and relief, helping you understand the reasons behind certain challenges you’ve faced. A diagnosis opens up opportunities for treatment and strategies that can improve your focus, productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life. It can also help with self-compassion and reducing feelings of frustration or self-doubt.

Yes, ADHD symptoms can overlap with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, or sleep disorders. This is why a thorough assessment is important to differentiate ADHD from other issues that may contribute to attention or behavior challenges. Your clinician will consider all potential factors before making a diagnosis.

Yes, you can be assessed for ADHD even if you have other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. ADHD often co-occurs with other disorders, and addressing ADHD may also help improve symptoms of these conditions. Your clinician will consider your full mental health history during the assessment to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.