Most adults who come to us for an ADHD evaluation have been wondering about it for years. Maybe a child was just diagnosed and the description sounded a lot like you. Maybe work got more demanding and the systems that used to hold things together stopped working. Whatever brought you here, getting a clear answer is simpler than most people expect.
Who can evaluate adult ADHD
In Washington, adult ADHD can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP), or a psychologist. Primary care providers sometimes diagnose it too, though many prefer to refer adults to a specialist, especially when anxiety, depression, or sleep problems are also in the picture.
If you want both a diagnosis and help with treatment, seeing a psychiatric provider means one person can do both. At Mind & Metabolism, an ADHD evaluation is part of a full psychiatric evaluation, so we can look at the whole picture rather than checking boxes on a single questionnaire.
What the evaluation actually involves
There's no blood test or brain scan for ADHD. The diagnosis comes from a careful conversation and a few standard rating scales. Expect questions about:
- How focus, organization, and restlessness affect you now, at work and at home
- What school was like, and whether teachers or parents noticed patterns early on
- Sleep, mood, stress, alcohol and substance use, and medical history
- Anything you've already tried, including past medications
Old report cards or a few words from someone who knew you as a kid can help, but you don't need them to get started.
Why the "rule outs" matter
Plenty of things can look like ADHD. Anxiety makes it hard to concentrate. Depression drains motivation. Poor sleep wrecks attention for anyone. A good evaluation sorts out what's driving your symptoms, because the right treatment depends on it. Sometimes the answer is ADHD. Sometimes it's ADHD plus something else. Sometimes it's something else entirely, and that's useful to know too.
Telehealth or in person?
Adult ADHD evaluations work well over secure video, and you can be anywhere in Washington during the visit. We also offer limited in-person appointments in Lakewood if you'd rather sit down face to face. Either way, the evaluation is the same.
What happens after
If ADHD is the right diagnosis, we'll talk through your options, which may include medication, practical strategies, or both. If medication is part of the plan, ongoing care continues through regular medication management visits. Most insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluations, and you can check which plans we accept before you book.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. Mind & Metabolism is an outpatient practice and can't provide emergency care.
Ready to talk with someone?
Our board-certified psychiatric providers see teens and adults across Washington State by telehealth, with limited in-person visits in Lakewood. Most major insurance accepted.
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