The Adult ADHD Diagnosis — How Is It Made?

04/23/25 • 12 min

With Gina Pera | ADHD Roller Coaster

Just thinking about getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? Who can you trust? In this episode, I walk you step by step through what a thorough, evidence-based Adult ADHD evaluation should look like—and why it matters.

📝 Read the full post here:
The Adult ADHD Diagnosis: How Is It Made?
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/the-basics-about-adult-adhd/the-adult-adhd-diagnosis-how-is-it-made/

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why a diagnosis is more than just a path to medication
What the DSM-5 criteria actually say—and what they miss
What a skilled clinician should ask and observe during an evaluation
Why ADHD is often missed in women—and how to better assess it
How misdiagnosis with depression or anxiety leads to poor outcomes
What to ask when choosing a professional to evaluate or treat ADHD
How to avoid common pitfalls—and self-advocate with confidence

This episode is essential listening for adults considering an ADHD evaluation—or for anyone supporting a partner, friend, or loved one on that path.

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

With Gina Pera | ADHD Roller Coaster

📝 Read the full post here:
The Adult ADHD Diagnosis: How Is It Made?
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/the-basics-about-adult-adhd/the-adult-adhd-diagnosis-how-is-it-made/

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why a diagnosis is more than just a path to medication
What the DSM-5 criteria actually say—and what they miss
What a skilled clinician should ask and observe during an evaluation
Why ADHD is often missed in women—and how to better assess it
How misdiagnosis with depression or anxiety leads to poor outcomes
What to ask when choosing a professional to evaluate or treat ADHD
How to avoid common pitfalls—and self-advocate with confidence

This episode is essential listening for adults considering an ADHD evaluation—or for anyone supporting a partner, friend, or loved one on that path.

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

Previous Episode

On With My Vent, in All Its Offensive Glory

This first-person story paints a vivid picture of what it’s like to move through the world with undiagnosed ADHD:

Constantly trying harder—but falling short
Wondering why life seems harder than it should be
Living with a quiet but relentless sense of failure
Receiving constant feedback that "You're not good enough"

Whether you're living with ADHD or love someone who is, this first-person account offers a rare window into the lived experience.
📝 Read the full post here:
When Adult ADHD Feels Like Not Being Good Enough
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/essays/when-adult-adhd-feels-like-not-being-good-enough/

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

Next Episode

Telling Your ADHD Partner “You’re Hurting Me” —Doesn't Work!

This episode is the audio version of my blog post on a sensitive but essential topic for ADHD-challenged relationships:

Why the common advice to “just express your feelings” often backfires—especially when ADHD is in the mix.

📝 Read the full post here:
Why Telling Your ADHD Partner “You’re Hurting Me” Isn’t Helping
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/tools-and-strategies/why-telling-your-adhd-partner-youre-hurting-me-isnt-helping/

We’re told that honesty and vulnerability improve relationships. But when your ADHD partner is struggling with poor self-regulation and self-awareness, your heartfelt message may not land the way you hope. It might even make things worse—for both of you.

In this episode, I unpack:

Why “you hurt me” may feel accusatory—even if it’s meant to be vulnerable
How shame, ADHD-related defensiveness, and poor memory processing can sabotage communication
The problem with therapy that leans too heavily on expressing hurt, without understanding ADHD dynamics
More productive, empathy-building approaches that support real change

These aren’t just opinions—they’re insights drawn from years of working with couples affected by ADHD, plus deep dives into clinical evidence.

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/