ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect focus, organization, impulse control, and activity level. In adults, it may look like trouble finishing tasks, losing track of time, feeling restless, acting impulsively, or struggling to follow through despite strong effort.
Because ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other conditions, a careful evaluation matters. Mentavi Health’s Diagnostic Evaluation helps clarify whether ADHD may be present, which symptoms are most prominent, and whether other factors may be contributing before treatment is recommended.
Adult ADHD can look like trouble focusing, anxiety, low motivation, restlessness, disorganization, or a mix of several concerns. Sometimes ADHD is the main issue. Other times, conditions like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or stress may be affecting how you feel.
Understanding what’s contributing to your difficulties can help guide the right next steps for care, rather than relying on symptoms alone.
An estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults have ADHD, and more than half were first diagnosed in adulthood.¹
ADHD doesn’t have a single cause. Neurological and environmental factors can play a role, which is part of why the condition presents so differently from person to person. Family and twin studies also point to strong genetic contributions, with heritability estimates generally ranging from 70% to 80%, and having a parent or sibling with ADHD meaningfully increases the likelihood of a diagnosis.²
Neurologically, ADHD is associated with differences in brain networks involved in attention, executive function, and impulse control. Research points to brain circuits that use dopamine, along with the prefrontal cortex – the area that helps with planning, decisions and self-control. These findings reflect measurable differences in brain function and are not a matter of effort or willpower.²
Certain prenatal and early-life factors, including preterm birth and low birth weight, have been associated with an increased likelihood of ADHD, although no single environmental factor is sufficient to cause the condition on its own.²
ADHD is not caused by poor parenting or a lack of discipline. While excessive screen use may affect attention or sleep in some individuals, current evidence does not support screen time as a cause of ADHD.²
ADHD is often the condition people recognize first, but it may not be the only thing affecting how someone feels or functions.
Many adults with ADHD also have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. These are called co-occurring conditions, meaning they can exist alongside ADHD. They are not simply “part of ADHD,” and they may need to be evaluated and treated separately.
If anxiety, depression, or another condition is also present, identifying it can help create a clearer picture and support better care decisions.
Research has found that about 47% of adults with ADHD also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder.3 Other research shows that childhood ADHD is associated with a higher risk of major depression in adulthood.4 The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation assesses a broad range of mental health conditions in a single clinician-reviewed process, so when more than one condition is present, they can be identified together.
The Mentavi Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluation assesses ADHD and a broad range of common mental health conditions. It is clinically validated† for diagnosing ADHD in adults, with peer-reviewed research published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
A doctorate-level, licensed psychologist reviews your evaluation to determine warranted diagnoses, provide broader mental health context, and recommend next steps.
The evaluation you complete goes directly to a doctorate-level, licensed psychologist, a real clinician, not an automated score. They review your full clinical picture: your answers, symptom patterns, and any signs that more than one condition may be involved. Based on that review, the psychologist determines which diagnoses, if any, are warranted.
If more than one condition is present, that can be identified. If your symptoms do not meet criteria for ADHD, that clarity can be valuable too.
You will receive a clinical report with your results, any warranted diagnoses, and recommendations for next steps. If treatment is clinically appropriate, the report will outline available options based on your diagnosis and your state.
The right treatment approach depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, whether other conditions are present, and your full clinical picture after evaluation. There is no single path that works for everyone.
With Mentavi, treatment options may include medical treatment, therapy, or both, depending on your diagnosis, preferences, clinical appropriateness, and what is available in your state. All treatment services are available to adults 18 and older and require a completed Diagnostic Evaluation. Availability varies by state and clinician capacity.
Medical treatment gives you the opportunity to work with a licensed clinician on a care plan based on your diagnosis, health history, and individual needs. When appropriate, this may include medication.
For ADHD, clinicians may consider stimulant or non-stimulant medications depending on your symptoms, medical history, and any co-occurring conditions. Some stimulant medications used to treat ADHD are Schedule II controlled substances. Your clinician will determine what, if anything, is appropriate for you.
Medical treatment is available in more than 40 states for patients 18 and older, subject to DEA and state telemedicine regulations.
Evidence-based therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is available in more than 40 states for patients 18 and older.
For adults with ADHD, therapy can help build practical strategies for focus, organization, time management, and follow-through, while also addressing co-occurring anxiety, depression, or other challenges when present.
Skills-focused coaching to help you build strategies, set goals, and manage anxiety day to day, available nationwide.§
At Mentavi Health, you can complete a comprehensive ADHD evaluation entirely online, on your own schedule, no office visit required. A doctorate-level, licensed psychologist reviews your results and may diagnose ADHD when clinically appropriate. The Diagnostic Evaluation is clinically validated† for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults, with peer-reviewed research published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
If treatment is warranted, medical treatment and therapy are available through Mentavi Health online. No commute, no waiting room, and no need to take time off work. Book around your schedule, meet with a clinician licensed in your state, and manage your care from home. Availability varies by state. Use the availability tool to check what’s offered in your state.
