What is Involved in a Diagnosis?

Your Complete ADHD Diagnosis
and Testing Guide

by Bob Seay, Laura Flynn and Penny Williams

A thorough ADHD diagnosis includes symptom tests and interviews, plus a through medical history and evaluations for conditions commonly diagnosed alongside ADD — namely ODD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. It’s a complicated process — as it should be to ensure accuracy. Here, learn what to expect from start to finish.

Full article “Your Complete ADHD Diagnosis and Testing Guide”

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

The ADHD testing process is a collaborative effort involving a health professional who understands ADHD, the parent, and the child or the adult and usually a long-time friend or partner. 

I Can’t Stress How Important
Diagnosis Has Been for Me

by Michelle Beckett

The human cost of undiagnosed ADHD is incalculable - the broken families, suicides, careers lost, unhappy lives and unmet potentials. This alone should be sufficient for society and our government to start treating ADHD with the priority it deserves. …..

Full article “Jeff's Story - Adult ADHD”

Other Concerns and Conditions with ADHD

by Center of Disease Control and Prevention  

ADHD often occurs with other disorders such as  such as behavior or conduct problems, learning disorders, anxiety and depression.

The combination of ADHD with other disorders presents extra challenges for children, parents, educators, and healthcare providers. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to screen every child or adult with ADHD for other disorders and problems. 

Full article “Other Concerns and Conditions with ADHD”

New Insights into Rejection
Sensitive Dysphoria

by Dr. William Dodson

Rejection sensitive dysphoria is one manifestation of emotional dysregulation, a common but misunderstood and under-researched symptom of ADHD in adults. Individuals with RSD feel “unbearable” pain as a result of perceived or actual rejection, teasing, or criticism that is not alleviated with cognitive or dialectical behavior therapy.

Full article “New Insights Into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria”

ADHD Misdiagnosis Stories Are All Too Common, Particularly Among Adults

by ADDitude Magazine

Symptoms like rejection sensitivity, poor focus, and stress are diagnosed as depression, anxiety, and even bipolar disorder. Even when those comorbidities exist, they are rarely the full picture. Hear from adults who persisted for years to pursue an accurate ADHD diagnosis.

Full Article ““My ADHD Was Misdiagnosed for Decades:” Stories of Misread Symptoms, Advocacy & Epiphany”

Diagnosing and Treating Attention Deficit Disorder Can Be Tricky

What part of the brain is “asleep” in those with true ADHD, and how to identify kids who need intervention. Plus… when is medication really necessary?

What Does Inattentive ADHD
Look Like in Girls?

7 Symptoms Never to Ignore with Adult ADHD

About 4% of American adults have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by impulsivity, distractibility and hyperactivity. If you are an adult with ADHD, you are at higher risk of developing certain co-occurring conditions that can complicate your disorder, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and substance abuse. Treating these complicating conditions can help prevent more serious illness from occurring. Find out which troubling symptoms of adult ADHD should prompt a call to your doctor.

Full article “7 Symptoms Never to Ignore with Adult ADHD“

ADHD Tests and Diagnosis

Is it ADHD or something else? Learn how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is diagnosed in kids and adults.

Full article “ADHD Tests and Diagnosis“

How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD
If You’re an Adult

One of the most common myths about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is that it only occurs in children. So, you might be surprised to learn that’s not the case. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 4.4 percent of American adults have ADHD.

Not all of those adults were diagnosed as children. In fact, many people with ADHD are diagnosed as adults.

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms that you think might be ADHD, you’re not alone. It’s never too late to talk to a mental health professional to get a diagnosis and the treatment you need.

Full articles “How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD If You’re an Adult“