Getting an ADHD Diagnosis From a Psychiatrist: What to Expect at Every Step

If you're constantly losing your keys, zoning out mid-conversation, or drowning in unfinished tasks, you might be wondering: Could this be ADHD? You’re not alone — especially if you’re a woman.

ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and dismissed in women and people assigned female at birth. For years, it was seen as something that only affected hyperactive little boys. But spoiler alert: that’s outdated science. Research now shows that ADHD can look totally different in women — often quieter, more internal, and easier to miss.

So, if your brain feels like 46 tabs are open at all times, and you're ready to get some answers, seeing a psychiatrist might be the best next step.

Can I tell a psychiatrist I think I have ADHD?

Yes, absolutely. You don’t need to have it “all figured out” before you see a psychiatric provider — in fact, that’s their job. A psychiatrist is trained to listen to your concerns, assess your symptoms, and help you understand what’s really going on.

If you’ve been filling out online quizzes or just have a gut feeling something’s not quite right (trust me, I’ve been there!), that’s enough to start the conversation. You deserve to be taken seriously.

A psychiatric provider will want to know what symptoms you’re experiencing, when they first started, how they’re affecting your daily life, and whether there’s any family history of mental health conditions or neurodivergence.

Not sure where to begin? Try jotting down a few notes about what you’ve been struggling with — whether that’s time blindness, emotional overwhelm, or a constant loop of self-criticism. Your experience matters. Or you can take the free Talkiatry ADHD test as a first step (it’s not a diagnostic test in itself — you can only get an official ADHD diagnosis from a licensed medical professional).

Speaking from experience, when I first brought up ADHD with a doctor, I felt like I had to present a PowerPoint of evidence just to be heard. I’d been the “gifted kid” who couldn’t meet deadlines, the adult constantly burnt out from masking, and the person who couldn’t explain why a simple to-do list made me spiral. Just saying “I think I have ADHD” felt like a risk — but it was also the beginning of finally being understood.

Is it better to get an ADHD diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist?

Here’s the key difference:

Psychologists specialize in testing and talk therapy. They can assess ADHD using tools like behavior checklists or cognitive tests, and help you work through strategies to manage it.

Psychiatrists (psychiatric providers) are medical doctors. That means they can diagnose ADHD and, when appropriate, prescribe medication as one part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

If you're looking for medication or you’re not sure if something else (like anxiety or depression) might be in the mix, starting with a psychiatric provider is often the best route. They can also help you consider additional supports — like therapy — and collaborate with others involved in your care.

What happens at a psychiatrist appointment for ADHD?

The first appointment isn’t a pop quiz — think of it more like a deep-dive into your brain’s user manual.

Here’s what you can usually expect:

• A full mental health history: Your psychiatrist will ask questions about your past, family history, and any mental health conditions you’ve experienced.
• A breakdown of your current symptoms: You’ll talk through what’s been going on — at work, at home, in your relationships.
• Ruling out other possibilities: Conditions like anxiety, trauma, depression, and even thyroid disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. A good psychiatrist will explore these, too.
• Optional rating scales or checklists: Some psychiatrists may use standard diagnostic tools like the ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale), DSM criteria, or Vanderbilt forms to help guide their evaluation.
• A safe space to be real: There’s no “perfect” way to show up. Crying, over-explaining, forgetting what you were saying mid-sentence? All part of the process. You’re not being dramatic — you’re being honest.

How does a psychiatrist test you for ADHD?

Unlike a strep test or a blood draw, there’s no single, clear-cut test for ADHD. Instead, diagnosis is based on a clinical evaluation using criteria from the DSM-5-TR — the standard guide used by mental health professionals.

To determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD, your psychiatric provider will assess the number and type of symptoms you’re experiencing, whether they fall under inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of those categories.

They’ll also consider how long these symptoms have been present — they need to have started in childhood, even if they’ve intensified in adulthood — and how much they’re interfering with your day-to-day life.

In some cases, your psychiatrist may ask for input from someone who knows you well, such as a partner or family member, or recommend additional psychological testing to help clarify your diagnosis.

For me, ADHD didn’t look like bouncing off the walls. It looked like lying awake at night replaying every social interaction I’d ever had. It looked like starting ten projects and finishing none, struggling to keep up with basic admin, and feeling like a mess despite trying so hard to hold it all together. My psychiatrist helped me realize that I wasn’t lazy or broken — I just had an ADHD brain doing its best in a world not built for it.

How long does it take a psychiatrist to diagnose ADHD?

It depends. Some people receive a diagnosis after one extended appointment (especially if their symptoms are clear and well-documented). Others may need two or more visits, especially if their symptoms overlap with other conditions or if more detailed testing is needed.

On average, a full ADHD evaluation usually takes around 60 minutes, sometimes split over a few appointments. Talkiatry psychiatric providers take the time to really listen — and they’ll walk you through the process at a pace that feels manageable.

How does a psychiatrist know you have ADHD?

Psychiatric providers use clinical expertise and diagnostic criteria to identify ADHD, but in practice, it’s rarely black and white. For adults — especially women and people assigned female at birth — ADHD can show up in more subtle, internal ways, like chronic overwhelm, emotional dysregulation, or mental exhaustion that doesn’t match the loud, hyperactive stereotype. That’s why a psychiatric provider will take a nuanced approach, looking at how your experiences fit into the broader picture of ADHD.

They’ll assess how your symptoms have evolved over time, how they’re affecting your ability to function day-to-day, and whether anything else could be contributing to what you’re feeling. The goal isn’t just to check boxes — it’s to understand the why behind your patterns and help you get clarity, support, and next steps that actually make sense for your brain.

How to prepare for an ADHD assessment with a psychiatrist

Think of this as your permission slip to overshare. The more information you can give, the better your psychiatric provider can understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. And brace yourself: this prep could take a while.

Here are a few ways to prep for your appointment:

• Track your symptoms: For at least a week (but ideally longer), jot down moments when you struggled with focus, memory, organization, impulse control, or emotional regulation.
• Reflect on your childhood: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it starts in early development. Were you constantly daydreaming? Talking out of turn? Forgetting your homework? Even subtle signs count. And if you can’t remember (hey, it happens — and more often with ADHD!), ask your friends and family who you grew up with.
• List your current challenges: Think about how ADHD may be showing up in your adult life — missing deadlines, zoning out in meetings, time blindness, losing steam mid-project.
• Consider your family history: ADHD runs in families. If a parent, sibling, or child has been diagnosed, that’s relevant.
• Write down questions: You might want to ask about treatment options, side effects of medications, or whether they recommend therapy alongside meds.

Above all, try to be honest. You don’t need to have the perfect words or medical language — just share your lived experience. Your psychiatric provider is there to listen, not to judge.

Is it worth getting an ADHD diagnosis?

Absolutely. Getting diagnosed with ADHD isn’t about slapping on a label — it’s about finally understanding why your brain works the way it does. For many women, especially those who’ve masked or been misdiagnosed for years, that clarity can be life-changing.

A diagnosis can validate your experience, open the door to treatment options that actually help, and give you tools to improve your focus, relationships, and overall confidence. And if medication is part of your plan, typically, a psychiatric provider will be the one to prescribe it — safely and with your unique needs in mind.

After my diagnosis, I cried — not because I was upset, but because it finally made sense. The years of burnout, the shame around forgetting things, the constant inner critic? They weren’t character flaws. They were symptoms. And now that I knew what I was dealing with, I could actually start working with my ADHD instead of just coping. I felt true validation, for the first time. I was also prescribed ADHD medication, which felt like a lifesaver. I remember thinking, the first day on the meds, “Is this what it’s like to have a normal brain?”.

You don’t have to keep second-guessing yourself. Talkiatry makes it easy to get real answers from licensed psychiatric providers who specialize in ADHD and actually get what you’re going through.

You can get started by visiting talkiatry.com, where you’ll be matched with a psychiatric provider in under 10 minutes. If you're not quite ready to book, you can take their free online ADHD test to explore whether your symptoms might align with ADHD. Talkiatry is fully virtual, accepts most major insurance plans, and doesn’t charge a subscription fee — just straightforward, compassionate care when you need it.

Your brain isn’t broken — it just needs the right support. Let’s get you there.

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Tassia O'Callaghan is an experienced women's health content writer and SEO content strategist, having written for brands like Peanut App Ltd, Scary Mommy, Fertility Mapper, Tally Workspace, and Office Christmas. She's an advocate for realistic sustainable living, supporting small businesses (author of A-Z of Marketing for Small Businesses), and equity across all walks of life. Follow her on LinkedIn or TikTok, or see more of her work on Authory or her website.