How to get diagnosed with ADHD online

Step 1: Recognizing ADHD symptoms

ADHD can affect nearly every aspect of your life, including your health, career and personal life. For example, it can result in poor performance at work and strained relationships with friends or family. If left untreated, adults with ADHD may develop other conditions like an anxiety disorder or depression. For those reasons, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of ADHD so you can seek professional help before matters become worse.

ADHD is diagnosed differently in adults and children, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Adults or teens 16 years or older must present at least five symptoms for diagnosis (six for children 16 and younger).

Symptoms of ADHD* include:

• Impulsive decision-making, sometimes without regard to future rewards or consequences
• Procrastination and disorganization
• Difficulty multitasking or focusing on a single task
• Trouble recalling daily tasks and forgetfulness
• Restlessness and a need for constant physical activity
• Poor time management
• Difficulty starting or finishing a task
• Frequently interrupts others in conversations (trouble waiting for a turn to speak)
• Difficulty coping in stressful situations

*Note: Symptoms compiled from NIMH and Mayo Clinic.

In addition, symptoms typically fall into three categories: Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Depending on which category the majority of your symptoms are in, you can be diagnosed with one of the following ADHD subtypes: Predominantly inattention, predominantly hyperactivity-impulsivity or a combination.

Children as young as three may begin to show signs of ADHD, too, which can continue through adulthood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Early symptoms in children are typically hyperactivity and impulsivity, so it may look like a child who can’t sit still in class or blurts out answers before being called on. Also, studies show that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls.

Step 2: Finding online ADHD assessment tools

The Attention Deficit Disorder Association provides a free online screening test on its website. This test was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Workgroup on Adult ADHD, which includes a team of psychiatrists and researchers working in collaboration with the WHO.

With each question, you rate yourself based on your feelings and actions over the past six months. Ratings vary from never, rarely, sometimes, often and very often. Test results will be emailed to you immediately upon completion.

Some questions that may be used as part of the ADHD screening process are:

• How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?
• How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?
• How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time?
• How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you?
• When you’re in a conversation, how often do you find yourself finishing the sentences of the people you are talking to, before they can finish them themselves?

It’s important to note that the screening tool is not intended to diagnose but to help you recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD. Based on your test results, you can schedule a visit with your doctor to ask questions or discuss next steps.

If you suspect your child has ADHD, discuss your concerns with your child’s pediatrician before pursuing a virtual diagnosis. They can provide screening tools and resources to help understand your child’s symptoms.

Step 3: Scheduling an online consultation

The first step to finding treatment options online is to know your current health insurance plan coverage. Your current plan may cover online sessions with a psychiatrist or psychologist if you choose from a list of participating providers. The health insurance company may also require a referral from your primary care provider, so check with the company before scheduling your first visit.

Only certain medical professionals, including physicians, psychiatrists, neurologists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners (under the direction of a physician), psychologists and some others, can diagnose ADHD. As you research providers, be sure that they are accredited practitioners.

The group Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), a nonprofit organization that serves individuals affected by ADHD, maintains a professional directory that you can use to find providers that offer online visits.

Keep in mind that some professionals listed in the directory are ADHD coaches and not medical doctors; therefore, they cannot diagnose the disorder or prescribe medication. Health insurance typically won’t cover visits with a coach either. However, a qualified ADHD coach can still help by offering strategies, like helping you or your child prioritize tasks or manage stress and to help improve your quality of life if you’ve been diagnosed with the disorder. You would, however, need to pay for those services out of pocket using cash, credit card or a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) card.

Several online platforms connect patients with licensed providers who can diagnose and treat ADHD, including:

• Talkiatry
• Cerebral
• Talkspace
• ADHD Advisor
• ADHD Online from Mentavi Health
• Zocdoc

Keep in mind that some telehealth providers, like Zocdoc and Cerebral, do not prescribe stimulant medications.

To schedule a consultation, visit the provider’s website for next steps. Some platforms, like Talkiatry and Talkspace, will check your health insurance coverage first before matching you with a clinician. You may also need to complete a self-assessment.

Costs for an ADHD diagnosis can vary depending on your insurance coverage. If you plan to pay screening costs out of pocket, fees typically range from $195 to $500, according to Mira Health, a health benefits company.

Step 4: The online diagnosis process

The diagnosis process may be similar among different providers. Before your first visit, you must complete several forms and questionnaires regarding your medical history and current symptoms. Your physician will use this information to conduct a comprehensive evaluation, so it’s important to answer all questions truthfully.

Once the provider has the results from your assessments, they will discuss the information in greater detail at your first visit, typically over a video call. You may receive a diagnosis (if appropriate) at the conclusion of this visit, which can last 30 minutes to an hour.

Step 5: Post-diagnosis support and treatment options

If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your telehealth provider will provide treatment options for you, which may include medication, therapy or a combination of both.

• Medication: ADHD medications generally work by increasing the level of neurotransmitters (like dopamine and norepinephrine) in the brain, which can help alleviate symptoms. Prescription medications for ADHD are classified as either stimulants or non-stimulants.

  According to NIMH, the most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate (common brands include Ritalin and Concerta) and amphetamine (the common brand Adderall has a mix of two stimulants known as amphetamine-dextroamphetamine).

  Non-stimulant medications include atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). Doctors may also prescribe an antidepressant, like sertraline (Zoloft) or fluoxetine (Prozac), as well.

• Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used to treat both adults and children with ADHD. This type of therapy is designed to help change the way a person with ADHD thinks and reacts to impulses and triggers. Cognitive-behavioral therapy requires a time commitment of about an hour a week for 12 to 15 weeks in some cases.

You can also utilize mental health apps for ongoing support after an ADHD diagnosis. Associations like the Attention Deficit Disorder Association provide several virtual support groups for individuals to connect on a weekly or monthly basis.

Bottom line

Online screening tools can help check for ADHD symptoms in your daily life. Still, you’ll need an official diagnosis from a licensed provider to move forward with treatment options like medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

You can easily schedule a virtual consultation with a telehealth provider to walk you through this process. A diagnosis can open doors to new techniques that can assist you with managing ADHD.