Evaluating ADHD in adults
A careful look at attention, health, and daily life.
An adult ADHD evaluation is a 90-minute appointment to understand your attention concerns and how they affect daily life. Appointments are by secure video for patients in the Bay Area and throughout California.
We review when difficulties began, where they appear, and what they interfere with. Medical and psychiatric history, sleep, lifestyle, and stress are all part of the assessment. We also consider whether another explanation fits better.
A diagnosis should fit the whole history
Academic or professional success does not rule out ADHD. Some adults have managed attention difficulties for years through extra time, external structure, or help from others.
Difficulty concentrating can also have other explanations. Sleep problems, anxiety, depression, stress, and medical conditions can overlap with ADHD symptoms.
Rating scales help organize information, but a questionnaire score does not replace clinical judgment. If the picture is unclear, we discuss what further information is needed.
The Physician-Led Evaluation
1. Your history
We discuss attention, organization, procrastination, follow-through, and impulsivity, and how they affect daily life. I review developmental and school history, work patterns, and prior treatment.
2. Other possible explanations
Sleep, mood, anxiety, medical conditions, and other relevant factors are part of the assessment. ADHD may occur alongside other conditions, and treatment should take the full picture into account.
3. Everyday functioning
I ask for examples from work, school, and home: getting started, finishing tasks, keeping track of responsibilities, and managing time. The aim is to understand the difficulties in context, rather than rely on a score alone.
After the evaluation
I explain the findings and what they mean for you. We discuss treatment options, any remaining questions, and a plan for follow-up.
If another explanation fits better, I explain that and recommend next steps. The practice provides ongoing psychiatric care rather than stand-alone testing reports.
Treatment and follow-up · Pricing · ADHD in high-functioning adults