Verbatim response from Perplexity
If you think you may have ADHD as an adult, the usual first step is to book an appointment with a primary care clinician or a mental health professional and ask for an ADHD evaluation.[8][7] There is no single test for ADHD; diagnosis is based on your symptoms, how long they have been present, whether they affect more than one area of life, and whether something else could better explain them.[8][6][7]
What the evaluation usually includes:
- A clinical interview about your current symptoms, work/home impact, and history.[1][7]
- Questions about whether symptoms were present before age 12.[1][5][6]
- Screening for other causes or conditions, such as sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, or learning disorders.[1][6][8]
- Sometimes rating scales or questionnaires such as the ASRS or DIVA.[1][7]
- Sometimes input from someone who knew you well earlier in life, or collateral information from a partner or family member.[1][7]
For adults, diagnostic criteria commonly require at least five symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity for six months or longer, symptoms in at least two settings (for example, work and home), and clear functional impairment.[1][6][7]
Practical next steps:
- Make an appointment with your primary care doctor, GP, or a psychiatrist/psychologist.[8][7]
- Bring a short list of your symptoms, examples of how they affect daily life, and any school records or childhood observations you have.[1][7]
- Ask whether they do adult ADHD assessments themselves or whether you need a referral to a specialist.[1][2]
- If wait times are long, ask about alternative assessment options or private services in your area.[2]
If you want, I can also help you prepare a one-page symptom summary to bring to the appointment.