I Think I Have ADHD: What to Do and Where to Go

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsFinding HelpTestingDiagnosisADHD TypesNext Steps

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Finding Help

Testing

Diagnosis

ADHD Types

Next Steps

Close

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)is a mental health condition that affects the brain’s development, particularly in areas that control attention, impulses, and behavior. While it is generally identified in childhood, affecting approximately 8.4% of children, around 2.5% of adults have ADHD.

If someone suspects that they may have ADHD, going through the following checklist of ADHD symptoms can be helpful. We also provide some next steps, such as finding a healthcare provider, getting assessed, and receiving a formal diagnosis.

Symptoms of ADHD

People with ADHD may recognize certain symptoms in themselves.ADHD symptomsgenerally fall into one of two categories:

Inattention Symptoms

Symptoms of inattention that someone with ADHD may experience include difficulty with:

How to Focus With ADHD

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Symptoms

These are the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity that may also be experienced:

Given that ADHD is a developmental condition, it often starts in childhood and canpersist into adulthood.Looking back, we may realize that we’ve had many of these symptoms since we were young. They may have become more or less pronounced with time but may have been present all the same.

Finding an ADHD Healthcare Expert

If these symptoms seem familiar, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. A mental healthcare provider such as apsychologist or psychiatristcan assess our mental health and determine whether or not we have ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD can resemble symptoms ofother mental health conditions, so it’s important to seek a diagnosis from a qualified professional.Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward receiving effective treatment. It may also be helpful to see a practitioner who specializes in ADHD as they may better understand the condition.

To find a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD:

Testing for ADHD

Once we’ve located a healthcare provider and made an appointment with them, they will likely perform an evaluation to identify whether ADHD exists.Testing for ADHDmay include:

Criteria for ADHD Diagnosis

Based on their evaluation, a healthcare provider will determine whether one’s symptoms match the criteria listed for ADHD in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The American Psychiatric Association publishes this manual to help healthcare providers identify, diagnose, and treat conditions such as ADHD.

Diagnostic criteria listed for ADHD in the DSM-5 include:

Types of ADHD

Depending on the symptoms that exist, a healthcare provider will determine whether ADHD exists and, if so, which type. There arethree types of ADHD:

What Are the Benefits of Having ADHD?

Next Steps for ADHD Treatment

If a healthcare provider determines that we do indeed have ADHD, they will chart out a course of treatment that can help reduce our symptoms and make it easier for us to function on a day-to-day basis. Treatment for ADHD can include a combination of medication, therapy, or coaching, depending on our individual needs and condition.

Is ADHD Overdiagnosed?

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: What you need to know.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and diagnosis.Drechsler R, Brem S, Brandeis D, Grünblatt E, Berger G, Walitza S.ADHD: current concepts and treatments in children and adolescents.Neuropediatrics. 2020;51(5):315-335. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1701658

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: What you need to know.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and diagnosis.Drechsler R, Brem S, Brandeis D, Grünblatt E, Berger G, Walitza S.ADHD: current concepts and treatments in children and adolescents.Neuropediatrics. 2020;51(5):315-335. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1701658

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: What you need to know.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and diagnosis.Drechsler R, Brem S, Brandeis D, Grünblatt E, Berger G, Walitza S.ADHD: current concepts and treatments in children and adolescents.Neuropediatrics. 2020;51(5):315-335. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1701658

American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: What you need to know.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and diagnosis.

Drechsler R, Brem S, Brandeis D, Grünblatt E, Berger G, Walitza S.ADHD: current concepts and treatments in children and adolescents.Neuropediatrics. 2020;51(5):315-335. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1701658

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