How To Know If You Have ADHD: X Common Signs and Diagnosis

If this sounds familiar, read through the following guide. You’ll learn more about the signs of ADHD in adults and get helpful information on where to go for an official assessment.

Signs You Might Have ADHD

There are some key signs which indicate that you could have ADHD. If you’re curious about whether you’d be diagnosed with this disorder, take a quick ADHD assessment quiz by asking yourself the following questions:

Am I forgetful? This can involve regularly misplacing or losing things, failing to remember important deadlines, not showing up for appointments, forgetting to return phone calls, etc.
Do I leave things unfinished? People with ADHD have attention and memory problems that make it difficult to complete projects or tasks.
Do I struggle with focus? Having difficulty concentrating or paying attention to details could be an indicator of ADHD. Being easily distracted is another possible symptom.
Am I unorganized? People with ADHD often have issues with staying organized, which includes managing your time, following through on tasks, and setting priorities.
Am I impulsive? This could be something like speaking out of turn or it could be more serious, like making risky decisions. Impulsivity with ADHD is caused by differences in the signaling system of the brain.
Am I restless? Adults with ADHD aren’t typically hyperactive like children with ADHD. Instead, they may feel fidgety or edgy.
Do I struggle to control my emotions? Everyone feels moody and irritable at times, but people with ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions with appropriate behaviors.
Did I have any of these symptoms as a kid? Most adults with ADHD had problems with concentration, attention, restlessness, etc. in childhood. One of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is that symptoms must have been present prior to age 12.

ADHD can look different in different people, so there isn’t a simple checklist of symptoms to look for. You might not exhibit all of these behaviors, but if you find that you have one or more and that they impact your life to a significant degree, it’s time to get a formal ADHD assessment from a healthcare professional.

How to Get Evaluated for ADHD

You can’t self-diagnose yourself with ADHD. Instead, you need to see a licensed clinician with ADHD expertise. Some of the healthcare professionals who may be able to diagnose ADHD include:

Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Family doctors
Nurse practitioners
Neurologists
Social workers
Licensed counselors

When you see one of these professionals, they’ll assess your symptoms to determine whether you have ADHD. The evaluation typically includes interviews with you and the people you’re closest to (such as a partner or parent) and medical exams.

A critical part of undergoing an ADHD assessment is ruling out other possible conditions with symptoms that may be similar to those of ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, or autism spectrum disorder. This is known as differential diagnosis, and it can be a particularly challenging part of determining whether someone has ADHD. That's why it's so important to see a qualified professional when you are evaluated for ADHD. At Done, our patients are seen by board-certified clinicians who have the expertise in ADHD needed to make an accurate diagnosis.

_{What to Do if You’re Diagnosed with ADHD}

If you receive a diagnosis for ADHD, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are a few steps to get started:

Talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options, which include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Be open about your diagnosis with family and close friends so they have the proper context for your behaviors and can provide support.
Consider approaching your boss or your HR department about accommodations for your ADHD symptoms at work.
Connect with an ADHD coach to work on strategies for managing your symptoms.

If you’re a man or woman looking for a simple, straightforward, and affordable way to get evaluated for ADHD, get in touch with us at Done. We offer online services that make it easy to connect with a licensed ADHD clinician and get the treatment you need if you receive a diagnosis. Members at Done also receive 24/7 care from a support team as well as easy prescription renewals. If you're interested in getting ADHD care with Done, start by taking our simple one-minute online assessment.