Diagnosing ADHD: Finding Answers & Getting Results

ADHD can show up in ways that are easy to overlook, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for. For children, ADHD symptoms might look like constant movement, difficulty sitting still, or interrupting others without realizing it. For adults, signs of ADHD might feel more like racing thoughts, disorganization, or forgetting everyday tasks. Whether it’s a child struggling in the classroom or an adult overwhelmed by deadlines and distractions, ADHD symptoms can turn everyday life into an unbearable uphill battle.

At Serenity Mental Health Centers, we’re here to help people of all ages find answers. Our board-certified psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing ADHD through an empathetic and individualized process that takes your experience with your disorder into account. We use state-of-the-art ADHD testing (including the FDA-cleared QbTest) to measure attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity with real data.

We want to assure you that you aren’t alone in this. Many of our first-time patients come to us feeling confused, frustrated, and at their wits-end. Whatever the case, we ensure that our patients leave with a clear path forward. With evidence-based ADHD treatment options like personalized medication management and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, we’ve helped thousands of patients take back control of their lives and regain the confidence that ADHD once took from them.

What is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect people of all ages. ADHD has been proven to impact executive function, which is the brain’s ability to plan, organize, and manage tasks. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of these traits on a daily basis. While ADHD symptoms may vary from person to person, the disorder is notorious for its ability to interfere with work, school, relationships, and overall emotional stability.

Some people with ADHD are easily distracted or forgetful, while others may feel driven by a motor that they can't slow down. The condition can be mild, moderate, or severe in some cases. But, without a proper diagnosis, many people live for years without knowing why they face daily struggles that others seem to navigate with ease.

Are ADHD and ADD the Same?

Many people still use the term ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder, which used to describe individuals who have trouble focusing without displaying any signs of hyperactivity. Today, ADD is considered an outdated term. The correct diagnosis is ADHD, which can present itself in three ways:

• Predominantly Inattentive: Trouble staying focused, following instructions, or completing tasks. This is what people used to refer to as ADD.
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: More physical symptoms like fidgeting, interrupting, or difficulty sitting still.
• Combined Type: A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

Whether you call it ADD or ADHD, the core challenge remains the same: the brain struggles to regulate attention and behavior in a typical way. That's why accurate ADHD testing and a comprehensive evaluation are so important.

ADHD Symptoms in Childhood

ADHD in children can appear as early as preschool, although many kids are diagnosed during elementary school when academic and social expectations increase. The most common ADHD symptoms in children include:

• Hyperactivity: Excessive talking, constant movement, and trouble sitting still.
• Inattention: Difficulty focusing on tasks, careless mistakes, and daydreaming.
• Impulsivity: Interrupting conversations, blurting out answers, and acting without thinking.

Children with ADHD often struggle to follow directions, complete homework, or play quietly. These behaviors are not signs of laziness or disobedience; they’re signs that a child’s brain is wired differently. Granted, it can be difficult for any parent to differentiate between disobedience and ADHD. This is why a proper diagnosis is crucial. Left untreated, ADHD in children can lead to emotional challenges, academic setbacks, and social difficulties.

At Serenity, we specialize in evaluating ADHD in children with a comprehensive and sensitive approach. We understand that no two kids are the same, which is why our local psychiatrists work with families to create treatment plans that support emotional and developmental needs.

ADHD Symptoms in Adulthood

Many adults are surprised to learn that ADHD doesn't always go away after childhood. In fact, ADHD in adults is often overlooked or misdiagnosed for years. It can even be mistaken for anxiety or depression. Telltale signs and commonalities among adults with ADHD include feelings of being chronically overwhelmed, scattered, or behind in life.

Other common ADHD symptoms in adults include:

• Forgetfulness and poor time management
• Trouble focusing in conversations or meetings
• Procrastination and disorganization
• Mood swings or low frustration tolerance
• Impulsivity, including overspending or interrupting others

For adults, these symptoms can affect work performance, family life, and overall mental wellness. Many adult patients come to Serenity after years of silently struggling, only to find out that their experiences have a name, and that there are real and effective solutions available.

Diagnosing ADHD at Serenity

Accurate ADHD diagnosis is essential to getting the right support. At Serenity, that begins with listening to our patients, and actually hearing out their needs and goals for treatment. Our psychiatrists start by taking a detailed clinical history, looking closely at behaviors, challenges, and developmental milestones. Then, we take it a step further with the QbTest. This test is an FDA-cleared, evidence-backed tool that objectively measures attention, movement, and impulse control.

Unlike traditional evaluations that rely heavily on self-reports or subjective checklists, the QbTest provides real-time data using infrared motion tracking and computer-based attention tasks. This gives our psychiatrists valuable insights into how your brain responds to specific challenges, and how that compares to others your age.

For children, we may also collect feedback from parents and teachers to build a fuller picture of the child's behavior across environments. For adults, we explore how symptoms have evolved over time and how they affect your daily life.

Our psychiatrists ensure that our ADHD testing process is thorough, respectful, and rooted in science. It's designed to give you clear answers, so you can stop guessing and start healing.

Treating ADHD at Serenity

Once you have a diagnosis, our psychiatrists will develop a personalized ADHD treatment plan that fits your unique needs and lifestyle. Many patients benefit from ADHD medication, such as stimulants or non-stimulant options, which can improve focus, reduce hyperactivity, and support emotional balance.

For patients who haven’t responded well to medication, or who prefer a drug-free option, we also offer TMS therapy. TMS is an FDA-approved treatment method that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in focus and impulse control. While it’s most commonly used for depression, it has shown powerful results for individuals with ADHD. This is especially the case for those with coexisting mood disorders.

At Serenity, we’ve seen countless patients reclaim their clarity, improve their organization skills, and finally experience the calm and focus they’ve been missing for years. Whether your treatment involves medication, TMS, therapy, or a combination of approaches, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

We also understand the importance of local ADHD support, which is why we work closely with the families, schools, and individuals of our local communities to ensure consistent care and follow-up.

Taking the First Step Toward Stability

ADHD can make life feel chaotic, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Whether you’re the parent of a child who’s been struggling in school, or an adult who’s never quite felt in control, our care team is here to help you take the first step toward stability and healing.

Our ADHD testing processes are rooted in science and compassion, and are led by our world-class psychiatrists who continue to break ground in their respective field. Our success stories speak for themselves, and we want you to be able to tell your own story. You don’t have to navigate ADHD symptoms on your own. You deserve answers, and more importantly, you deserve relief.

From local ADHD support to long-term care and follow-up, our team at Serenity Mental Health Centers is committed to walking this journey with you. Schedule your ADHD test today and start building a life that feels a little more fulfilled, worthwhile, and controllable. We can’t wait to meet you!