Psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
Psychiatrists often take a collaborative approach to treatment, which means they’ll take your preferences into consideration when recommending therapy or medication.
Finding a psychiatrist with experience in ADHD can be beneficial for receiving accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it may be helpful to find a psychiatrist who has experience screening for and treating ADHD. You don’t necessarily have to see a psychiatrist for ADHD, but if you’re looking for medication management and/or an accurate diagnosis, a psychiatrist (or another psychiatric provider) could be the best choice.
When you should see a psychiatrist about ADHD
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD in the past or are currently experiencing ADHD-like symptoms, you might consider seeing a psychiatrist for support. Psychiatric providers are different from other mental healthcare providers, like psychologists or therapists, due to one key factor: They can prescribe medication, while other mental health providers can’t.
Medication, including stimulant and nonstimulant options, are some of the most helpful treatments for ADHD. Medication can help you manage symptoms like:
Inattention and distractedness
Feeling disorganized
Hyperactivity and restlessness
Impulsivity
If ADHD symptoms are getting in the way of your day-to-day life, it might be worthwhile to get an evaluation from a psychiatrist and consider your treatment options. Psychiatrists are specially trained in mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions (like ADHD), so they’re better suited to help you than a general practitioner.
Sometimes, medication can also help with other mental health conditions you might be living with. For example, people with ADHD are three times more likely to have depression. So if you’re looking for medication support to help with other mental health symptoms, a psychiatrist might be a good choice for you.
While psychiatrists are licensed to provide therapy and medication management, some psychiatrists may not offer therapy sessions. So if you’re looking for therapy (or a combination of therapy and medication), you might consider working with another mental health provider — either instead of or in addition to a psychiatrist.
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What to expect in psychiatry sessions for ADHD
If you’ve decided you want to try psychiatry for ADHD, it can be helpful to know what to expect in your first psychiatry appointment.
Your first session
Unless you've already been diagnosed, your first session will focus on evaluation and diagnosis. Your psychiatrist will assess you to see if what you’re experiencing is a sign of ADHD or something else.
This assessment can take anywhere from an hour to multiple sessions and can include things like:
An interview
Observing your behaviors in session
Reviewing your medical history
Neuropsychological testing, which measures how your brain works (or referring you for this kind of testing)
During this first appointment, be as honest as you can. It’s not about “proving” to your psychiatrist that you have ADHD. It’s about giving them as clear of a picture as possible about your experiences so that they can assess what’s going on and give you the right diagnosis.
If you get diagnosed with ADHD, your psychiatrist will walk you through your treatment options. Usually, this includes therapy and/or medication. It could also include things like seeing a nutritionist or a behavioral coach.
Your psychiatrist may recommend a specific medication or give you different options. If you have questions or concerns, this is a great opportunity to bring them up. For example, you might have questions about side effects or long-term use of the medications. Good psychiatrists take a collaborative approach, which means that they’ll take your preferences into consideration when tailoring your treatment.
Tell your psychiatrist if you’re interested in therapy for ADHD. They can let you know if they provide therapy or refer you to a therapist if they don’t.
Follow-up sessions
Follow-up sessions are an important part of psychiatric care. It may take some trial and error to find the right medication and dosage for you. Follow-up appointments can give you an opportunity to speak with your psychiatrist about whether your symptoms are improving since you’ve started the medication and if you’re experiencing any side effects.
If your psychiatrist offers it, these follow-up sessions might also be a time to participate in therapy and dive deeper into how ADHD is affecting your life.
Finding a psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD
While any psychiatrist can technically diagnose you with ADHD and prescribe medication, it’s often best to choose a psychiatrist who has expertise in working with people with ADHD specifically.
ADHD can manifest in different ways. We’re now learning that because of misunderstanding and bias, certain groups of people with ADHD — like women and people of color — have been historically underdiagnosed.
Psychiatrists who have niche expertise in diagnosing and treating ADHD may be more likely to make an accurate diagnosis.
Some additional things to consider when you’re looking for an ADHD psychiatrist include:
Availability: Make sure that any potential psychiatrists are accepting new patients. In addition, consider availability of session times. For example, if you need evening or weekend sessions, this is important to check.
Your age: Safe dosages of ADHD medications for children, teens, adults, and older adults can sometimes be different. It’s helpful to work with a psychiatrist who specializes in treating people who are around your age.
Personal preferences: It’s also important to consider your personal preferences when it comes to the type of psychiatrist you want to work with, including the provider’s identity, any other areas of specialization, and personality.
Session modality: Think about whether you want to have online psychiatry sessions, in-person, or hybrid (a mix of both). Telehealth has been found to be effective for ADHD treatment, but you’re the only one who can decide what’s right for you.
Insurance: Working with a psychiatrist who’s in network with your insurance plan can help bring costs down significantly. Without insurance, you’ll pay out of pocket.
Legally, you don’t need a referral to access mental health services, including ADHD treatment. But it might be faster and easier to ask your primary care physician for a referral.
A common mistake people make when trying ADHD medication is expecting the medication to be a quick fix without making any behavioral or lifestyle changes. The reality is that most mental health medications are more effective when paired with therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Bettina Rodgers RN, MSN-PMHNP
Clinical reviewer
Find care with Rula
Finding the right psychiatrist can help you manage ADHD symptoms and improve your day-to-day functioning. Whether you’re looking for medication, therapy, or a combination of both, a psychiatrist with ADHD expertise can provide the support you need.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance, so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Saya Des Marais
Saya graduated with her Master in Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in mental health from the University of Southern California in 2010. She formerly worked as a therapist and motivational interviewing trainer in community clinics, public schools, mental health startups, and more.
Her writing has been featured in FORTUNE, GoodRX, PsychCentral, and dozens of mental health apps and therapy websites. Through both her clinical work and her personal OCD diagnosis, she’s learned the importance of making empathetic and accurate mental health content available online.
She lives in Portland, Oregon but you can find her almost just as often in Mexico or in her birthplace, Tokyo.
Bettina Rodgers RN, MSN-PMHNP
Bettina is a board certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 21 years of experience as a Registered Nurse specializing in mental health. Her background includes extensive work in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, crisis intervention, and patient education. She has received advanced training in psychopharmacology and mental health leadership. She is dedicated to promoting overall wellness through a holistic, patient-centered approach.
Bettina is passionate about mental health because it allows her to have honest, down-to-earth conversations and truly connect with people on a deeper level. Outside of work, she loves traveling to new countries with her sister — and sharing those adventures with others. For Bettina, mental healthcare is about meeting people where they are, building trust, and helping people find their way forward.
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Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
