What ADHD can look like
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects attention, activity level and impulse control. It doesn't look the same in everyone, and it often looks different at different ages.
In children and teens
- Trouble finishing schoolwork or following multi-step directions
- Frequent careless mistakes, lost belongings, forgotten assignments
- Restlessness, difficulty waiting, interrupting
- Big emotional reactions and frustration around tasks
- Homework that takes far longer than it should
In adults
- Chronic procrastination and difficulty starting tasks
- Missed deadlines, bills or appointments despite real effort
- Mental restlessness and trouble staying with conversations or reading
- Feeling overwhelmed by organization at work or home
- A long history of “not living up to potential”
Many adults, especially women, were never evaluated as children because their symptoms were quieter or they compensated with extra effort. It's never too late to get clarity.
How our ADHD evaluation works
An ADHD diagnosis should never come from a five-minute questionnaire. Attention problems can come from many sources, including anxiety, depression, poor sleep, sleep apnea, thyroid problems, learning differences, trauma, substance use or simply an overloaded life. A careful evaluation looks at all of them.
- A detailed history of symptoms, including when they started and how they affect daily life
- Validated rating scales, completed by the patient and, for children, by parents and often teachers
- Review of school records, report cards or prior testing when available
- Screening for conditions that commonly occur with ADHD or mimic it
- Medical history, including heart health, sleep and current medications, before any medication is considered
Some patients benefit from formal psychological or neuropsychological testing, particularly when learning disorders or other questions need to be sorted out. If that's the case, we'll explain why and help you find testing.
Treatment options
ADHD treatment is individualized. It may include:
- Medication, stimulant or non-stimulant, when appropriate, started at a careful dose and adjusted based on benefit and side effects
- Practical strategies for organization, routines and time management
- Attention to sleep, nutrition and exercise, which all affect focus
- Coordination with school (for example, supporting 504 plan or IEP discussions) and with therapists or coaches, with your permission
- Treatment of co-occurring anxiety or mood symptoms, which often improve how ADHD treatment works
About stimulant medications and telehealth
Stimulants are controlled medications. When they are appropriate, they are prescribed only after a thorough evaluation and in line with DEA and Arizona requirements. These include review of the Arizona Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program, a controlled-medication agreement and regular follow-up. Federal telehealth rules for controlled medications are currently in place on a temporary basis and may change. We'll keep you informed if they do. A diagnosis or prescription is never guaranteed, and non-stimulant options are always part of the conversation.
Read: What an ADHD evaluation involves for children and adults →
A whole-person approach
At Joy Integrative Psychiatry, the evaluation looks beyond a symptom checklist. We consider attention, learning, mood, anxiety and executive functioning, along with sleep, stress, physical health, current medications and what's happening at home, school or work. That fuller picture helps separate the true drivers of symptoms from things that simply look similar, and it leads to a plan that fits your life.
Common questions
Can ADHD be diagnosed through telehealth?
Yes. A thorough ADHD evaluation relies mainly on history, rating scales and records, all of which work well by video. If anything suggests the need for in-person testing or medical workup, we'll tell you.
What age can my child be evaluated for ADHD?
We evaluate children starting at age 6. Parents or guardians take part in the evaluation, and input from teachers is very helpful.
Do you prescribe ADHD stimulant medication?
When clinically appropriate after a thorough evaluation, yes, in accordance with federal and Arizona requirements. Non-stimulant options are also available and are sometimes the better fit.
I'm an adult and was never diagnosed as a kid. Can I still have ADHD?
Yes. ADHD begins in childhood, but many people are not recognized until adulthood. The evaluation looks back at childhood patterns as well as current symptoms.