If you struggle with significant difficulty focusing, starting, and completing tasks, frequently lose important things, display impulsivity in your behavior and choices, and/or have trouble with planning and organizing, you may have ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), especially if these issues have been present since childhood.  If you suspect that you may have ADHD, but don’t know where to start, understanding more about various options for testing and evaluation can help you decide.  As a psychologist who provides both evaluation and therapy for adults with ADHD, I often get asked how to navigate the different options for ADHD testing. I am also frequently asked, “How do I know if I need an official ADHD evaluation?” The following information will help you understand your options and decide whether you need a formal ADHD evaluation:

• An ADHD evaluation with a licensed psychologist, such as those I provide in my practice, Sun Psychological, LLC are necessary if you need to rule in /rule out a diagnosis of ADHD for the purposes of accommodations at school (college, graduate school) or work.  Universities and employers usually require a report (or sometimes a specific form completed) from a licensed mental health clinician. An official ADHD evaluation can also be helpful if you have other co-existing mental health issues (depression, anxiety, etc.) and you want to know whether you also have ADHD so that you can get proper treatment.  A licensed psychologist is uniquely trained to identify ADHD and distinguish these symptoms from other mental health issues.  A psychologist can also make individualized recommendations for treatment based on your unique challenges.   The pros of this option are having a more comprehensive approach and receiving more individualized recommendations for you.   The cons are the cost (may range from $900 – $2500) and the time involvement (2-7 hours of testing).
• Another option is to have a consultation with your PCP (primary care physician). A PCP can provide a screening for ADHD and even prescribe medication for treatment based on those results. If you don’t need accommodations, and/or don’t have other significant mental health issues (i.e. you may be more of a “straightforward” situation), this might be a good option for you. Some physicians feel very comfortable and routinely provide this service, although some physicians don’t feel comfortable with this approach and prefer to refer patients to a specialist, i.e. a licensed mental health professional. The pros of this option are convenience and low cost.  Cons of this option are that some PCP’s may not provide as thorough or comprehensive service, as they may not be as knowledgeable about ADHD and all the various medication options available to you.  In addition, sometimes patients don’t feel that receiving a diagnosis in this way is as helpful or may not feel it is as “legitimate.”
• A third possibility is to schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are usually very knowledgeable about ADHD and can assess other mental health (psychiatric) issues.  Psychiatrists typically do not administer “tests” similar to a licensed psychologist, instead they conduct a thorough psychiatric diagnostic interview during an initial “evaluation” which consists of approx. 1 to 1 and ½ hours in length.  They may ask you to complete forms about your background and symptoms. The pros of this option are having a “one stop shop” (i.e. diagnosis and prescription for medication all in one visit, potentially). The cons include difficulty finding a psychiatrist with availability and cost (typical psychiatrists charge between $50 – $600 per hour for the initial appointment).

If you do receive a diagnosis of ADHD, it is often helpful to learn executive functioning skills (organizational systems for daily work and work life) and gain assistance in implementing these in your life.  If you’d like to learn more about ADHD therapy and whether this can be helpful to you, click here for a free consultation with Dr. Jennifer Cleveland.