Taking the Next Step: What to Expect When Getting an ADHD Assessment

Hey there, neurospicy chickadee! Today, I’m talking to those lovelies in my life who are here for a reason, but you aren’t sure what exactly that reason is just yet. You suspect your brain doesn’t work quuuiiiiite like everyone else’s. But you’ve never had an official diagnosis. Or, maybe you’ve had a diagnosis, but it doesn’t quite sit right. Likely, you thought all those quirky things you do to make it so people don’t realize you’re struggling were just a part of your charming, yet flawed (NOT), personality.

I’ve got good news and bad news for you, sister. Some of those personality “traits” are actually ADHD  symptoms and are your coping mechanisms on full display. And that can be both incredibly freeing and but hard to reconcile with at the same time.

It’s thoughts like this that might make you wonder about getting an official diagnosis. Here is why getting a diagnosis is important: it not only rules IN ADHD, it rules OUT other issues that you may be contending with that are possibly unknown to you.Your brain runs your entire world. So get that assessment so that you know exactly what's up.

Maybe you’re getting a later-in-life diagnosis like I did. Or maybe you’re seeing it earlier on. Either way, I want to prepare you for what getting an ADHD assessment is like, where to get one, and what the steps are.

Let’s Start with What You’re Experiencing

Obviously, a primary care doctor or mental health professional is the best person to refer you to someone who can perform an assessment and tell you if you have ADHD or not. But let’s just talk casually, woman to woman, about what some of the things you might be experiencing are. If this list is checking a lot of boxes for you, here’s your sign that you might want to ask for some professional help.

I’ve shared a lot about the freaking gender biases with ADHD, (read about it here) because this is why so many of us smart, capable women have gone, oh I don’t know, four or five decades without a proper diagnosis. So honestly, your ADHD symptoms *might* be very different than what you think of when you think of classic ADHD. 

Top ADHD symptoms include:

Difficulty in Concentration: Do you often find it challenging to concentrate on tasks, especially if they're not super stimulating? Here’s the kicker–many women with ADHD find coping skills at a young age so they’re able to hide their difficulty concentrating. Many girls with ADHD do just fine in school, so they fly under the radar.

Hyperactivity or Inattentiveness: You might feel fidgety, always on the move, or have difficulty staying seated. For women, the hyperactivity tend to be a mind that is running non-stop like you have a motor up there.  Not all women have that classic hyperactivity, in fact, many of them demonstrate ADHD as more inattentive than hyperactive. But if you notice yourself moving from one thing to the next, or doing much better concentrating with something to fidget in your hands, it could be a symptom of ADHD.

Impulsivity: Acting before thinking – it's a common feature. You might blurt out responses, interrupt conversations, or have difficulty waiting your turn. Or maybe your impulsive side shows up more when you’re shopping on Amazon!

Emotional Dysregulation and Rejection Sensitivity: Women with ADHD frequently experience intense emotional dysregulation, aka allllll the mood swings. Do you find people describe you as sensitive to rejection or criticism, or are you often accused of emotional overreaction? Hey there ADHD. It's you again.

Disorganization: Your life might resemble a tornado aftermath. Messy desk, missed deadlines, and struggles with organization can be par for the course. Obviously, this can be incredibly frustrating because it’s not for lack of good intentions and trying really fucking hard.

Masking and Coping Mechanisms: Women with ADHD are super great at creating coping mechanisms and masking VERY EARLY, which results in extreme mental fatigue, high stress, anxiety, and burnout. And, thanks to how awesome we are at masking our symptoms, we often have a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis because we don’t fit the stereotypical image of ADHD.

So You Think You Might Have ADHD… What Next?

So, I do have a little resource for you on my website…it’s an ADHD symptoms quiz. But this is NOT meant to be diagnostic. It's a tool to help you determine if you think you need to take the next step towards getting assessed for ADHD. 

To get a diagnosis, the very first step is to head to your primary care doctor. Hopefully, they’re someone you can deeply trust who will take the time to really listen to your concerns. Your primary care doc is the gateway to understanding what might be going on in your mind.

They can refer you out to a specialist who does a full assessment of what is happening inside of that cranium of yours and to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms. We’re not just trying to throw ADHD labels on everyone and their sister! If you have something else going on, you deserve to know.

Likely, your doc will dive into your medical history, they might conduct a physical exam, and even run some tests to eliminate other possibilities.

Once other conditions are ruled out, then it is time to see if ADHD is the diagnosis. Your assessment could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a mental health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating ADHD. These pros know their stuff and will guide you through the testing process.

The Actual ADHD Assessment

First up, you will either be given assessment paperwork or you'll have a good old chat with the person who is assessing you where they ask you the questions that are from the paperwork. Every medical professional does it a little different. The specialist will likely ask you a ton of questions. They're not trying to snoop into your life. They're just gathering information about your symptoms, your behaviors, and how they impact your daily life now and from when you were younger.

The questions might cover various aspects of your life, from your childhood to your current situation. They'll want to know about your work, relationships, and how you manage day-to-day tasks. Don't hold back—be open and honest. It's your chance to tell all about your brain's quirks.

Apart from the talk, there might be some tests. No, not the anxiety-inducing kind! These could be psychological tests, questionnaires, or rating scales. They're designed to assess your symptoms and behavior patterns.

They may also give you a document to have someone close to you fill out called an 'observer'. Someone else who observes your day to day life from the outside looking in. Mine was my husband. But it can be a parent, someone you have known since you were young, someone you trust. And this is not meant to be a shameful thing. Choose a person who is not wanting to shame you, but who wants to HELP you. Sometimes the doctor will have you bring a person with you if your appointment is in person or via telehealth.

It's like doing a puzzle – the specialist is putting together the pieces of your life to see the bigger picture. These tests aren't to make you nervous. They're just tools to help the specialist understand what's going on inside your brain and nervous system since it is a neurological disorder.

Post-Test and Final Thoughts for Me

After the evaluation and tests, the specialist will review the results and fill you in on their findings. Most of the time you get the answer right away during the actual assessment itself. That is how it happened for me. After turning in the paperwork and the asssessment itself, I was told I had ADHD and what type. Then I was referred back to my psychologist to discuss medication and other forms of treatment. So if they determine that you have ADHD, they'll talk about treatment options too.

Now, here's the thing, my lovelies – it's not just about getting a label. It's about understanding yourself better and getting the support and resources you need to navigate life more smoothly.

Treatments for ADHD can vary. They might include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these. It's like having different tools in your Mary Poppins bag – you use what works best for you. Sometimes you need the umbrella and sometimes you need that big-ass coat rack. ;)

So there you have it, sugarpants . PLEASE know that seeking help is a courageous step, not a sign of weakness. If you’ve been curious about learning more about how your brain works, and are suspicious that you’re not accessing all the tools that could be available to you, I am here to cheer you on along the way as I have done with so many women going through getting a diagnosis or who just received one. Have questions? Ask them!  It's what I am here for.

Meet with that primary care doc and get the ball rolling! If you’re anything like me, you’re about to find out how much more you can understand yourself. It won’t necessarily be a smooth ride, but I promise you’ll be glad you went on it!

One final very personal thought. When I received my diagnosis, I finally could love ALL of me. I had parts and pieces I didn't understand or that were frustrating. Things I couldn't accept. Once I found out there was a reason and that so many things that had been happening were ADHD related? It changed my entire life. Every aspect and area. I had the self acceptance I had been seeking for so many years.

Knowledge is powerful. It can make beautiful things happen for you.

And, if you get a diagnosis and you’re ready for even more support, that’s where I come in. DM me on Instagram or fill out the contact form on my website to learn about my ADHD life coaching program, ADHD business mentorship, or a hybrid of the two. Also, don’t miss my weekly podcast, The ADHD Entrepreneu(her), where I share lots of tips, personal stories and insights, and interview stellar guests!