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Diagnosing ADHD: Assessment, Understanding, and Treatment with HC Mental Health & Wellness
- Hawley Campbell
- Jul 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11
My passion for working with individuals with ADHD stems from a deeply personal place. Having navigated my own struggles with ADHD and raising a child with ADHD, I intimately understand the daily challenges and triumphs that come with this condition. This personal journey has equipped me with not only professional expertise but also a profound empathy and practical understanding of how to effectively integrate and manage various aspects of treatment, including diet, lifestyle adjustments, and medication.
Your Journey to Clarity: How a PMHNP Tests for ADHD
One of the most common questions we hear is, "How do you test for ADHD?" As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), my approach to ADHD assessment is comprehensive and tailored to each individual. It goes beyond a simple questionnaire, delving into your history, current symptoms, and how they impact your daily life.
I'm excited to integrate a new, FDA-approved diagnostic tool into our assessments: QBtech. This innovative technology provides objective data on attention, impulsivity, and activity levels, offering a clearer picture of how your brain processes information. While clinical interviews and symptom checklists are crucial for understanding your subjective experience, QBtech provides an objective measure that complements our diagnostic process, helping to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other conditions (QBtech, n.d.). It's important to note that symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity can also be attributed to other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or insomnia. This is where QBtech is particularly valuable; it helps us differentiate ADHD from these other conditions, ensuring a precise diagnosis. Furthermore, QBtech can be a valuable tool in assessing your symptoms while on medication, helping us to fine-tune your treatment plan for optimal effectiveness. This combination allows for a more precise and evidence-based diagnosis and ongoing management of ADHD.
Do You Wonder If You Have ADHD?
Many adults live undiagnosed with ADHD, often attributing their struggles to other factors. If you've consistently experienced challenges with focus, organization, time management, impulsivity, or restlessness, you might be wondering if ADHD is at play. We invite you to explore this possibility with us. Our convenient virtual appointments make it easier than ever to get the assessment you deserve, right from the comfort of your home.
What exactly is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It's not a character flaw or a lack of intelligence; instead, it's a difference in brain structure and function that affects executive functions, such as planning, organization, emotional regulation, and impulse control. Did you know that ADHD has a strong genetic component and tends to run in families? If you have a relative with ADHD, there is a higher likelihood of a genetic link.
ADHD Across the Lifespan: Not Just for Kids
While ADHD is often associated with childhood, it's crucial to understand that it frequently persists into adulthood. Many adults are only diagnosed later in life, having struggled for years without understanding the root cause of their difficulties. The presentation of ADHD can evolve with age. Children might exhibit more overt hyperactivity, while adults might experience internal restlessness, difficulty with long-term planning, or chronic procrastination.
Gender Differences in ADHD Presentation
ADHD can also present differently in men and women, often leading to underdiagnosis in women.
In Men/Boys: ADHD often manifests with more externalized symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disruptive behavior. This makes it more readily recognized and diagnosed, as these symptoms are often more noticeable in school or social settings.
In Women/Girls: ADHD often presents with more internalized symptoms, such as inattention, disorganization, and anxiety. Girls might be "daydreamers" or struggle with internal restlessness rather than outward hyperactivity. They may compensate by over-organizing or developing perfectionistic tendencies, masking their underlying struggles. This can lead to misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis, as their symptoms might be attributed to anxiety, depression, or other conditions.
Diagnostic Criteria: The DSM-5 Perspective
The diagnosis of ADHD is guided by the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). To be diagnosed with ADHD, an individual must meet specific criteria for inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, with symptoms:
Present before age 12.
Occurring in two or more settings (e.g., home, school, work, social situations).
Clearly interfering with, or reducing the quality of, social, academic, or occupational functioning.
Not better explained by another mental disorder.
The DSM-5 specifies nine symptoms for inattention and nine for hyperactivity-impulsivity. For children up to age 16, at least six symptoms from either category must be present. For individuals aged 17 and older, a minimum of five symptoms is required.
Tailored Treatment: Finding What Works Best For You
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards effective management. At HC Mental Health & Wellness, we believe in a holistic and individualized approach to treatment. Our services include:
Medication Management: For many, medication can significantly improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and manage hyperactivity by balancing brain chemicals (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). We work closely with you to find the right medication and dosage, monitoring for effectiveness and side effects. It's crucial to understand that medication is not a cure for ADHD, but rather a valuable tool, much like lifestyle changes and CBT therapy. Medication may not be the right fit for every individual. For instance, certain pre-existing heart conditions, a history of substance abuse, or specific co-occurring mental health conditions like severe anxiety or Tourette's syndrome may make stimulant medications unsuitable (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.; RxList, 2021). In such cases, or if stimulants are not effective or cause intolerable side effects, non-stimulant medications are a vital alternative. These include options like atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv, Kapvay), clonidine (Kapvay), and viloxazine (Qelbree), which work through different mechanisms to help manage ADHD symptoms (Talkiatry, 2024). It's important to remember that "you need more than pills, you need skills." For individuals already diagnosed with ADHD who have tried one or more medications without significant benefit, we offer gene testing with GeneSight. This advanced testing can provide insights into how your unique genetic makeup may influence your response to various stimulants, non-stimulant, antidepressants, and other psychotropic medications, helping us identify a more personalized and effective treatment path for you.
Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches can help you develop coping strategies, improve organizational skills, manage emotional dysregulation, and address co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression.
Coaching & Accommodations: ADHD coaching offers practical strategies and support for addressing daily challenges, helping you set goals, enhance time management, and establish routines that cater to your unique brain. For college students diagnosed with ADHD, we understand the importance of academic support. We can assist in navigating the process of obtaining special accommodations, such as extended test times or a quiet testing environment. We can complete the necessary documentation to help you succeed in your academic pursuits.
Finding what works best for you is a collaborative process. We'll explore different options, adjust strategies as needed, and empower you with the tools and understanding to thrive with ADHD.
If you're ready to explore whether ADHD is impacting your life and discover a path to greater focus and well-being, HC Mental Health & Wellness is here to support you. Contact us today to schedule a virtual appointment.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). ADHD Medications: How They Work & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11766-adhd-medication
Gemini. (2025, July 3). Personal communication.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Basics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
QBtech. (n.d.). QBtech: Objective assessment for ADHD. Retrieved from [Insert actual QBtech website URL here if available, otherwise keep as placeholder].
RxList. (2021, September 6). Adult ADHD Medications: Side Effects, Types, Drug Interactions, Warning & Uses. https://www.rxlist.com/adhd_prescription_drugs/drugs-condition.htm
Talkiatry. (2024, April 14). Stimulant vs. Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications: A Psychiatrist's Take. https://www.talkiatry.com/blog/stimulant-vs-nonstimulant-adhd-meds
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