How can I improve my odds of an accurate ADHD evaluation?
Could you have adult ADHD? In this 8-part guide, you’ll find expert answers to your questions that will help you make key decisions about seeking a diagnosis.
GENDER: Why is ADHD so often missed or misdiagnosed in women?
A: Girls tend to show less “hyperactive” behavior, and most studies focus on those hyperactive ADHD patterns that are more common in males… | Keep reading on WebMD »
YOUNG ADULTS: How can I recognize signs of ADHD in a young adult?
A: Young adults with ADHD usually don’t show as much hyperactivity as they did when they were kids. But they can be restless, with trouble… | Keep reading on WebMD »
OLDER ADULTS: What distinct diagnostic criteria benefit older adults with ADHD?
A: Clinicians must look beyond DSM-5 criteria when evaluating older patients for ADHD because it does not adequately consider… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
AGE VS. ADHD: How do clinicians distinguish signs of ADHD vs. aging in older adults?
A: Doctors don’t learn to look for ADHD in people over 60. It’s likely they’ll look for other causes of inattention and fuzzy thinking… | Keep reading on WebMD »
MENOPAUSE: How do hormonal fluctuations and aging impact ADHD in women?
A: Higher levels of estrogen are linked to enhanced executive function and attention. Low or fluctuating estrogen levels are associated with… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
ANDROPAUSE: How do hormonal fluctuations and aging impact ADHD in men?
A: Both women and men with ADHD report the greatest symptom severity from ages 50 to 59 — during menopause and andropause… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
FIRST-PERSON: “How I Lost 10 Years of My Life”
“I lost a decade of my life, not just to one arrogant man, but to all of the doctors who hand-waved my symptoms away, each convinced that they knew my body and brain better than I did.” | Keep reading on ADDitude »
RELATED RESOURCES
SYMPTOM TEST: ADHD Symptoms in Women and Girls
In females, ADHD may manifest as shame about organizational skills, difficulty coping, etc. | Take the self-test on ADDitude »
WEBINAR REPLAY: ADHD in Older Adults
Expert Webinar with Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. | Listen now on ADDitude »
8-Part Guide to ADHD Diagnosis in Adults, from WebMD x ADDitude:
DECISION 1: How can I better understand ADHD, its causes, and its manifestations?
DECISION 2: How can I understand the aspects of ADHD that might be new to my doctor?
> DECISION 3: How can I improve my odds of an accurate ADHD evaluation?
DECISION 4: How can I find a professional to diagnose and treat my ADHD?
DECISION 5: What should a thorough evaluation for adult ADHD include and exclude?
DECISION 6: How can I be sure my ADHD evaluation screens for psychiatric comorbidities?
DECISION 7: How can I be sure my ADHD evaluation considers look-alike comorbidities?
DECISION 8: Should I also be screened for the sleep, eating, or other disorders?
