ADHD diagnosis in adults — what it involves and where to start?

An ADHD diagnosis in adults is based on an in-depth clinical interview, an assessment of symptoms from childhood to the present, and ruling out other causes of the difficulties. The simplest place to start is a psychological consultation or assessment — its outcome is a written report that you can take to a psychiatrist for a clinical diagnosis and a decision on any treatment.

How ADHD shows in adults

In adults the hyperactivity familiar from the childhood picture is rarely visible. More often it looks like this:

• trouble concentrating: losing the thread, “drifting off” in conversation, reading the same page several times,
• problems with organisation: putting off tasks, being late, losing things, chaos in paperwork and finances,
• impulsivity: interrupting others, hasty decisions, outbursts of irritation, impulsive purchases,
• inner restlessness: a feeling of a “motor inside”, difficulty resting, a constant need for stimulation,
• swinging motivation: paralysis with boring tasks and hyperfocus on what is interesting,
• exhaustion and low self-esteem after years of “catching up”.

Many people mask their symptoms for years — working at night, relying on reminders, choosing fast-paced jobs. The cost is chronic tension and often secondary difficulties: anxiety, low mood, burnout.

Why many people only find out as adults

ADHD begins in childhood, but it is not always recognised then. This applies especially to girls and to people without obvious hyperactivity — a “dreamy”, quiet child rarely gets referred to a specialist. Symptoms become troublesome when responsibilities grow: university, work, parenthood. That is when the old strategies stop being enough. Sometimes a parent recognises their own difficulties while their child is being assessed.

What the assessment process looks like

There is no single test for ADHD. The diagnosis is made on the basis of several elements:

1. Clinical interview — a conversation about your current difficulties and their impact on work, study, relationships and everyday functioning.
2. Screening questionnaires — for example the ASRS scale. On their own they do not give a diagnosis, but they organise the symptoms and show whether it is worth going further.
3. Structured diagnostic interview — for example DIVA-5, which systematically checks the ADHD criteria in adulthood and in childhood.
4. Developmental history — what your childhood and school years were like. School reports, teachers’ comments and a conversation with a parent or older sibling help.
5. Ruling out other causes — similar symptoms can be produced by anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorders, thyroid disease and the effects of chronic stress, among others. Some of these can coexist with ADHD.

Before the appointment it is worth gathering: school reports and teachers’ remarks, previous psychological reports, a list of the medication you take and your own observations from recent months.

Who makes the diagnosis in Poland

• A psychiatrist makes the clinical diagnosis and decides on any medication. Only a doctor can prescribe medication.
• A psychologist carries out the psychological assessment: interview, questionnaires, structured diagnostic interview — and issues a written report. The report is the basis for a further consultation with a psychiatrist and helps plan therapeutic support.

The two routes complement each other. A psychological assessment is often the first step — especially if you are not sure whether your difficulties are ADHD or, for example, the effects of overload.

After the diagnosis: therapy and support

A diagnosis makes sense of many years of experience and allows the right help to be chosen:

• Psychoeducation — understanding how attention and motivation work with ADHD removes the “lazy” label.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) — work on organisation, procrastination, emotional regulation and the thoughts that maintain low self-esteem.
• Support with everyday organisation — planning, reminder systems, breaking tasks into steps; as coaching or within psychological sessions.
• Medication — decided by a psychiatrist; for some people it is an important part of treatment.

When not to wait

If your difficulties are accompanied by thoughts of giving up or suicidal thoughts, severely low mood, loss of control over alcohol or drugs, or an inability to function at work and at home — do not wait for an ADHD assessment. Contact a psychiatrist urgently, and in a life-threatening situation call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.

What it looks like at Sonar Clinic

Within psychology at Sonar Clinic, consultations and psychological assessment for adults are provided by:

• Anna Czujowska, MSc — psychologist, in CBT psychotherapy training. She carries out ADHD assessment in adults using the DIVA-5 structured clinical interview and an in-depth interview; the outcome is a written psychological report that forms the basis for a further consultation with a psychiatrist. She also offers ADHD coaching and sessions with elements of psychotherapy.
• Małgorzata Sikora, MSc — psychologist, in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy training. She provides psychological consultations for adults, psychoeducational support and initial assessment of emotional difficulties.

Important: psychiatric consultations at Sonar Clinic are provided by Jagoda Hanaya, MD, a doctor in specialty training in child and adolescent psychiatry, and only within child and adolescent psychiatry. An adult who has completed a psychological assessment will need a consultation with an adult psychiatrist outside our clinic — the psychological report from Sonar Clinic can be the basis for that appointment.

According to the price list, ADHD assessment for adults costs 850 PLN (180 min), a psychological consultation for adults 200 PLN (50 min) and ADHD coaching for adults 200 PLN (50 min). The current price list is on the pricing page. You can book by phone on +48 880 018 703 or online on the specialist’s profile. Sonar Clinic, ul. Gubińska 8A, 54-434 Wrocław.