Four tips for talking to a psychiatrist about ADHD

Whether it’s your first or fifth appointment, it can be hard to know how to talk to a psychiatrist about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given that ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood, you might worry about your concerns being dismissed. But while the average age of ADHD diagnosis is between 5 and 9, many people receive their diagnosis later in life. 

Psychiatric providers are trained to identify and treat ADHD in all ages. While all psychiatric providers are trained to identify and treat ADHD, some are more comfortable treating it than others. Before booking your appointment, it may be worth checking to see if your provider is comfortable diagnosing and treating ADHD.

By taking time to prepare for the conversation, you become a better advocate for yourself and your mental health. The following tips can help. 

1. Pause and reflect

Before bringing up the topic of ADHD with your psychiatric provider, do some self-reflection. The more details you can share about your symptoms, the clearer the picture you can paint for your provider. 

Think about when your symptoms started and how they’ve affected your life over time. See if you can recall if you struggled with focus or self-regulation when you were a kid. It might be helpful to take some notes and bring them to your appointment. That way, you won’t forget anything. 

How it might sound in a session: “I know we haven’t talked about this before, but I’m starting to think I might have ADHD. I’m missing deadlines at work, and my home is in total chaos. No matter what I do, things aren’t getting better, and it’s really stressing me out. Can we talk about that today? I have some notes that I’d like to share.”

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2. Be open and honest 

Maybe you’ve wanted to discuss ADHD with your psychiatrist for a while. But you just haven’t felt comfortable bringing it up. Many valid reasons exist for why it can be hard to talk about ADHD as an adult. Maybe you feel ashamed or embarrassed. Or perhaps you had a bad experience in the past with a provider who didn’t take you seriously. 

Rest assured that your psychiatrist is there to help. They’re also trained to handle these issues with compassion and sensitivity. It might feel scary at first. But being honest with your provider will help them deliver the best possible care. 

How it might sound in a session: “I want to bring something up. But I want you to know it’s a little hard for me to talk about. I’ve experienced some judgment in the past that still affects me. The truth is, I think I might have ADHD. I wasn’t diagnosed as a kid, so I’m not sure what that means for me now.”

3. Ask questions

When a psychiatric provider evaluates you for ADHD, they’ll ask lots of questions. But remember that this conversation goes both ways, and you get to ask questions too. Sometimes knowing more about the process can make it feel less intimidating. You can ask about their experience treating adults with ADHD, the assessment tools they use, and what treatment options they usually recommend. 

How it might sound in a session: “I think that knowing more about your approach to treating adults with ADHD would help me. Can you share more about that? Is this something you see in your practice regularly? I’d also like to know more about the diagnostic process itself. How exactly does that work?”

4. Keep an open mind

If you think you might have ADHD, you can bring that up to your psychiatrist at any time. But know that you might not receive your anticipated diagnosis. ADHD can mirror other conditions. So your provider may need to do an in-depth assessment before issuing a diagnosis. They could find that you have a different condition than ADHD. Or they could find that you have ADHD and a co-occurring condition. 

Their job is to ensure you have an accurate diagnosis so that you get the right care for your needs. However, you’ll always be the expert on yourself. So if you feel that you’ve been misdiagnosed, you can always seek a second opinion. 

How it might sound in a session: “I think I might be experiencing some symptoms of ADHD. My brother has it, so I’m pretty familiar with what it looks like. But I’m not completely certain. Can we talk about doing an assessment so we can figure out what’s going on?”

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If you’re feeling unsure how to talk about ADHD with your psychiatrist, you’re not alone. Plenty of reasons make this topic potentially tough to discuss. Fortunately, you can do some things to make this conversation a little easier. That includes reflecting on your symptoms, asking questions, and keeping an open mind throughout the process. 

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.

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