Getting Diagnosed With ADHD as an Adult

If you are an adult wondering whether you have ADHD, you are far from alone. According to the CDC, about 6 percent of U.S. adults have a current ADHD diagnosis, and about half of them were diagnosed as adults.

Why ADHD gets missed in childhood

ADHD often goes unnoticed in kids who:

• Are bright and could get by without much effort
• Were quiet daydreamers instead of disruptive
• Had a lot of structure at home or school
• Were girls, since ADHD can look different in girls
• Grew up when ADHD was less understood

Then adulthood arrives. There is no teacher reminding you about deadlines. You have bills, a job, maybe kids. The strategies that used to work stop working.

Signs that often lead adults to get evaluated

• Struggling at work despite being capable
• Constant lateness or missed appointments
• Unfinished projects and a long to-do list
• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks
• Losing keys, phone, or wallet often
• A child being diagnosed and you recognize yourself

A clinician looks at your current symptoms and your history. They want to know whether several symptoms showed up before age 12 and whether symptoms affect more than one area of life. They also check for other conditions that can look like ADHD.

At Anora, this includes questionnaires, a computerized cognitive assessment, and a review by a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. Depending on your plan, you also have a video visit for a diagnostic interview and treatment plan.

What changes after a diagnosis

Many adults describe a diagnosis as a relief. It gives a name to struggles they blamed on themselves for years. After a diagnosis, options may include:

• Medication, if it is right for you
• ADHD coaching for routines and organization
• Workplace or school accommodations
• Learning strategies that work with your brain instead of against it

The bottom line

It is never too late to get answers. An adult ADHD diagnosis can help you understand your past and make a real plan for your future.