What do psychiatrists look for in ADHD?

Psychiatrists look for persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that started before age 12, significantly impairing functioning in at least two settings (home, school, work) and aren't better explained by another condition, using standardized criteria, interviews, behavior rating scales, and collateral information from family or teachers to assess symptom severity and impact.

What is the 30% rule in ADHD?

The ADHD "30% Rule" is a guideline suggesting that executive functioning (self-regulation, planning, impulse control) in individuals with ADHD develops about 30% slower than in neurotypical peers, meaning a younger developmental age. For example, a 12-year-old with ADHD might have the executive skills of a 9-year-old, helping parents and educators set realistic expectations and understand behavioral differences, not a lack of intelligence. This concept, popularized by Dr. Russell Barkley, is a helpful tool, not a strict law, to foster empathy and appropriate support.
 

What to expect when seeing a psychiatrist for ADHD?

Most clinics ask adults to fill out forms. These forms help the psychiatrist understand the person's history. Adults may answer questions about focus, memory, work habits, childhood behavior, emotions, and past treatments. A medical history review is also common.

What to tell a psychiatrist about ADHD?

How to Talk to Your Doctor About ADHD

• Step 1: Don't Worry About Your Doctor Labeling You. ...
• Step 2: Make a Specific Appointment to Discuss Your ADHD Symptoms. ...
• Step 3: Explain Your Symptoms of ADHD With Real-Life Examples. ...
• Step 4: Be Honest With Your Doctor If You've Tried Someone Else's ADHD Medication.

What are the 5 C's of ADHD?

The 5 Cs of ADHD, developed by Dr. Sharon Saline, offer a parenting framework to manage ADHD challenges by focusing on Self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, and Celebration to build competence, reduce stress, and foster positive family dynamics by meeting kids where they are and building on strengths.
 

Can adults have ADHD? A psychiatrist explains the symptoms

What is the 20 minute rule for ADHD?

The 20-minute rule for ADHD is a strategy to start tasks by committing to work on them for just 20 minutes, overcoming procrastination and task paralysis, often leveraging momentum or the Pomodoro Technique. It works by making tasks feel less overwhelming, allowing you to focus for a short, manageable burst, and then either continuing if you're in flow or taking a planned break to reset. This helps manage time blindness and provides dopamine hits, making it easier to initiate and maintain focus on chores, studying, or other goals. 

What is the red flag of ADHD?

ADHD red flags involve persistent patterns of inattention (difficulty focusing, disorganization, losing things) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (fidgeting, excessive talking, interrupting, impatience, acting without thinking) that interfere with daily functioning, appearing in childhood and often continuing into adulthood, with signs like trouble with routines, poor time management, and emotional reactivity. These aren't just typical childhood behaviors but a consistent struggle to sit still, pay attention, or wait their turn, even in quiet settings.
 

How do I prove to my doctor I have ADHD?

There's no single test that can determine whether you have ADHD. Instead, your doctor will carry out a detailed assessment, which may include the following: Screening for co-existing conditions, which may include an interview about your medical history, work experience, social history, and family or marital life.

What is the 10-3 rule for ADHD?

The 10-3 rule for ADHD is a time management strategy that involves working on a task with full focus for 10 minutes, then taking a short, structured 3-minute break (no distractions like social media) to reset, and then repeating the cycle to build momentum and make tasks less overwhelming for the ADHD brain. This technique leverages short bursts of intense concentration followed by brief mental rests to combat procrastination and maintain focus. 

What is a high functioning ADHD female?

High-functioning ADHD in women often presents as success in work or school masking significant internal struggles like disorganization, emotional dysregulation (mood swings, sensitivity), procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed, leading to burnout, anxiety, or depression despite appearing capable through compensatory strategies (perfectionism, masking). Key signs include hyperfocus on interesting tasks, difficulty with routine, chronic lateness, poor time management, and an inner world of mental clutter and exhaustion hidden behind a "put-together" exterior.
 

What confirms an ADHD diagnosis?

A diagnosis of ADHD is determined by the clinician based on the number and severity of symptoms, the duration of symptoms and the degree to which these symptoms cause impairment in various areas of life, such as home, school or work; with friends or relatives; or in other activities.

What not to say during a psych eval mental health?

During the exam, it's imperative not to downplay your symptoms. Saying you're “fine” or not detailing your struggles can lead to an inaccurate assessment of your condition. Be open and honest about the severity of your symptoms and provide detailed descriptions.

What is the burnout cycle of ADHD?

The ADHD burnout cycle is a repeating pattern of intense productivity (often via hyperfocus), followed by a complete crash into mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, leading to procrastination, guilt, and shutdown, only for the need to catch up to restart the cycle, driven by ADHD's core challenges like executive dysfunction and sensory overload. It's a push-pull between overdrive and collapse, making daily demands feel insurmountable and disrupting self-trust. 

What age is ADHD hardest?

ADHD challenges often peak during the transition to adulthood (late teens to 30s) due to increased responsibilities and complex executive function demands, though hyperactivity often lessens, while inattention can persist or worsen, especially without treatment. The teenage years (13-18) are also particularly hard, with rising academic/social pressure and hormonal changes exacerbating difficulties. However, each person's experience varies, and while some symptoms fade, others remain, requiring coping strategies. 

How do you 100% know you have ADHD?

The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor. That's because the disorder has several possible symptoms, and they can easily be confused with those of other conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Everyone misplaces car keys or jackets once in a while. But this kind of thing happens often when you have ADHD.

What is the 5 minute rule for ADHD?

The ADHD 5-Minute Rule helps overcome procrastination by committing to a daunting task for just five minutes, making it less overwhelming and easier to start, often leading to continued work once momentum builds, but allowing you to stop guilt-free if needed, building trust with your brain that you can take action. It works by lowering the barrier to entry, bypassing analysis paralysis, and proving to your ADHD brain that starting isn't as terrible as it seems, reducing the "overestimation of effort" that fuels avoidance.
 

What is the 24 hour rule for ADHD?

The ADHD "24-Hour Rule" is a self-regulation strategy to combat impulsivity by waiting a full day before acting on big decisions, purchases, or strong emotional reactions, allowing time for clearer thinking and reflection to prevent regret. It helps create a pause between impulse and action, reducing snap judgments and fostering emotional regulation, with variations focusing on productivity by reviewing information within 24 hours to maintain momentum, though the main use is for managing impulsive choices and emotions.
 

What is the best bedtime routine for ADHD?

If you're having trouble sleeping and have ADHD, consider trying the 10-3-2-1-0 routine. This routine involves caffeine avoidance, eating light meals, ceasing work and electronics use at certain times, and engaging in calm activities before bedtime.

What are brain breaks for ADHD?

ADHD brain breaks are short, intentional pauses with movement or engaging activities to help reset focus, manage energy, and improve concentration, crucial for the ADHD brain that struggles with sustained attention, often involving quick bursts of exercise (like jumping jacks), deep breathing, sensory input (like coloring), or brief, timed games to refuel and prevent overwhelm. Effective breaks are short (under 5 mins), timed (using visual timers), and incorporate physical activity, sensory input, or quick mental challenges to stimulate dopamine and oxygen flow to the brain, making them essential for cognitive refueling.
 

What are three warning signs of ADHD?

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

• Inattention: Difficulty paying attention.
• Hyperactivity: Showing too much energy or moving and talking too much.
• Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or having difficulty with self-control.

What improves ADHD symptoms?

To improve ADHD symptoms, combine lifestyle changes like consistent exercise, good sleep, and healthy routines with behavioral strategies such as breaking down tasks and minimizing distractions, plus professional treatments like therapy or medication, to boost focus, regulate emotions, and enhance executive functions. Learning about ADHD and finding creative outlets also helps you manage the condition effectively. 

What careers are best for people with ADHD?

The best jobs for people with ADHD leverage strengths like creativity, energy, and problem-solving in dynamic, interest-driven roles, often in fields such as Creative Arts, Tech, Helping Professions, Entrepreneurship, and Emergency Services, with examples including software developer, artist, chef, teacher, firefighter, social worker, and sales representative, offering variety, movement, or intense focus opportunities. Key factors are matching the job's pace, structure, and interest level to your ADHD profile. 

What calms people with ADHD?

To calm ADHD, use a mix of lifestyle changes, mindfulness, and structure: incorporate regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, and healthy routines; practice deep breathing, meditation, and yoga; break tasks into smaller steps with timers (like Pomodoro); minimize distractions by decluttering; and find soothing sensory input like music or petting animals, while seeking professional help for personalized strategies.