How Our Online ADHD Diagnosis Works
Pick the ideal time for your appointment.
Choose the most convenient day and time for a virtual meeting with one of our in-house mental health clinicians. A $20 deposit is required to reserve your appointment.
Reach a conclusive diagnosis.
Your mental health clinician will provide a detailed diagnosis based on your symptoms, thought processes, and past behavior.
Begin a personalized ADHD Treatment plan.
ADHDAdvisor.org offers a holistic approach to treatment, with options for virtual therapy, medication management, and success coaching.
How Is ADHD Formally Diagnosed?
While anyone can take an online assessment to see if their symptoms might indicate ADHD, you must receive a formal diagnosis from a licensed clinician to ensure proper ADHD treatment. This can be done through in-person services or online platforms like ADHDAdvisor.org.
Qualified mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers, use the guidelines outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose ADHD. This widely-recognized diagnostic standard helps ensure accurate and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It considers not only symptoms but also their impact on various aspects of daily life.
Should You Consider Getting Diagnosed?
Recognizing the symptoms of ADHD is the first step toward seeking a diagnosis. While some individuals with ADHD may experience fewer symptoms as they get older, others continue to face significant challenges that interfere with their day-to-day activities.
In adults, ADHD manifests primarily as difficulty paying attention, organizational challenges, impulsiveness, and restlessness. Symptoms can vary in severity, and individuals may experience problems in areas such as work, school, relationships, and daily responsibilities.ADHD symptoms typically fall into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Individuals may be diagnosed with the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD, the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD, or the combined type, which means that an individual exhibits at least five inattentive symptoms and at least five hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Beyond diagnosing the type, a qualified mental health clinician can also determine the severity of your ADHD, which may be described as mild, moderate, or severe based on its impact on daily functioning. To be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, several symptoms should have been evident before age 12.
Inattentive Symptoms
To be diagnosed with predominantly inattentive ADHD, adults must persistently exhibit five or more of the following symptoms for at least six months:
- Frequently makes careless mistakes in work, school, or other activities
- Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or activities
- Appears not to listen when spoken to directly
- Struggles to follow through on instructions and complete tasks
- Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Frequently loses necessary items
- Easily distractedForgetfulness in daily activities
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Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
Similarly, adults must persistently display five or more of the following symptoms for at least six months to be diagnosed with the predominantly hyperactive-inattentive type:
- Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
- Leaves seat in situations where remaining seated is expected
- Restlessness or feeling constantly on the go
- Difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
- Talks excessivelyBlurts out answers before questions have been completed
- Difficulty waiting their turnInterrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or activities
If you've noticed persistent difficulties in attention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity that significantly impact your daily functioning, it’s advisable to seek a comprehensive evaluation from a qualified mental health professional. These difficulties could include underachieving at work or school, experiencing relationship issues, or being unable to complete normal daily tasks.
Getting an accurate diagnosis can lead to appropriate interventions and support to help manage ADHD symptoms effectively.
A Closer Look at the Online ADHD Diagnosis Process
Take the Free Online Assessment
The first step is to complete ADHDAdvisor.org’s free online questionnaire. This brief questionnaire will prompt you with multiple-choice questions regarding your concentration, organization, short-term memory, motivation, mood, and other relevant factors. The assessment typically takes only a few minutes to complete.
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Schedule a Diagnosis Appointment
After completing the assessment, it's time to schedule a virtual appointment with a mental health professional licensed in your state. Choose a convenient day and time that fits your schedule, and then pay a deposit to confirm your appointment. Upon confirmation, you'll receive an invitation to create a patient portal.
Set Up Your Patient Portal
Use the patient portal to complete the necessary intake forms and authorizations before your appointment. This step ensures that your clinician has all the information they need to make a diagnosis. The patient portal also has additional features, including appointment management, communication with your clinician, payment processing, and document submission.
Meet with Your Clinician
During your scheduled appointment, which typically lasts around 30 minutes, your clinician will review your assessment results, discuss your symptoms and concerns in more detail, and provide further evaluation to confirm or rule out a formal ADHD diagnosis.
What Happens If I Am Diagnosed with ADHD?
Medication Management
ADHDAdvisor.org provides medication management services, including prescribing non-stimulant medications to individuals diagnosed with ADHD. The specific type of medication prescribed will depend on the individual's diagnosis and treatment plan. For those requiring controlled substances, such as stimulants, ADHDAdvisor.org can facilitate connections with in-person providers who can prescribe these medications.
Virtual Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions are available as a treatment option for individuals diagnosed with ADHD, as well as those who have not received a diagnosis. Our qualified therapists work with individuals to help them understand the ADHD brain, address their challenges, develop coping strategies, and devise long-term solutions. Each therapy session typically lasts 50-55 minutes and provides a supportive environment for individuals to explore their concerns and work toward positive outcomes.
Personalized Success Coaching
In addition to therapy, personalized success coaching is offered to any interested individual, regardless of their diagnosis. Our experienced mental health coaches work with you to create personalized, long-term roadmaps tailored to your unique needs. They’ll help you develop strategies to build healthy habits, improve your organizational skills or interpersonal interactions, and achieve your goals effectively.
