ADHD in Adulthood – Diagnostics and Treatment at Our Berlin Practice
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adulthood shows similar symptoms to those in children and adolescents. However, the nature of the symptoms often changes during the transition into adolescence and adulthood. The disorder “grows with the person,” meaning that certain behavioral patterns and symptoms adapt to adult life.
Main Symptoms of ADHD in Adults:
Hyperactivity: Inner Restlessness
While children – especially boys – often exhibit noticeable physical hyperactivity, in adults this may present as inner restlessness. Situations like sitting for long periods (e.g. in meetings, on flights, or while waiting) often lead to agitation or discomfort. Many affected individuals try to release this restlessness by tapping their foot or fingers.
Attention Deficit: Difficulty Concentrating
In adults with ADHD, attention problems are usually most prominent. Typical signs include:
- Being easily distracted by surrounding stimuli
- Difficulty focusing attention intentionally
- Problems distinguishing important from unimportant information
- Needing to reread texts multiple times to grasp content
- Racing thoughts and mental rumination
- These symptoms often affect job performance, participation in lectures, and conversations.
- Impulsivity: Impulse Control Issues
Impulsivity often persists into adulthood. It may manifest as spontaneous decisions, sudden outbursts of anger, or impulsive behavior perceived by others as poor impulse control.
ADHD Diagnostics in Adulthood
To diagnose ADHD in adults, symptoms must have been present in childhood and currently cause impairment in at least two areas of life (e.g. work and family).
The DSM-5 diagnostic manual identifies the following ADHD subtypes:
Predominantly inattentive presentation
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation
Combined presentation (inattention plus hyperactivity-impulsivity)
Since symptom patterns may change over time, the term “current presentation” is often used today.
Diagnostic Procedure and Costs at Our Berlin Practice
We offer comprehensive ADHD diagnostics for adults in Berlin according to the current S3 guidelines:
- Duration: 3 sessions of 50 minutes each
- Cost: €120 per session
Upon request, we provide a written psychotherapeutic report after completion of the diagnostics including:
- Detailed results of the assessment
- Recommendation for psychotherapy or pharmacological treatment
- Cost for the report: €140
Please note: We do not prescribe medication. If needed, pharmacological treatment must be coordinated through your general practitioner or specialist.
Why an ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood Makes Sense
Untreated ADHD can lead to a range of difficulties, including:
- Professional challenges due to concentration issues
- Conflicts in social relationships caused by impulsivity
- Emotional strain such as stress, exhaustion, or self-doubt
Timely diagnosis and targeted treatment can help improve daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Book Your ADHD Diagnostic Appointment in Berlin
If you recognize symptoms of ADHD in yourself and would like a thorough evaluation, we are here to help.
Sources:
https://www.adhs-infoportal.de/adhs-bei-erwachsenen/symptome-von-adhs
https://www.barmer.de/gesundheit-verstehen/wissen/krankheiten-a-z/adhs-erwachsene-1071016
https://www.adhs-deutschland.de/adhs-erwachsene/adhs-im-erwachsenenalter
Additional Treatment Options:
ADHD in Adulthood – Diagnostics and Treatment at Our Berlin Practice
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults displays similar symptoms as in children and adolescents. However, symptom presentation often changes when transitioning into adolescence and adulthood. The disorder “grows with you,” meaning some behavioral patterns and symptoms adapt to adult life.
Main Symptoms of ADHD in Adults:
Hyperactivity: Inner Restlessness
While in children—especially boys—hyperactivity often manifests as physical restlessness, in adults it often appears as inner restlessness. Situations such as prolonged sitting (e.g., in meetings, on flights, or while waiting) often trigger agitation or discomfort. Many people manage this by tapping their foot or drumming their fingers.
Attention Deficit: Difficulty Concentrating
Attention difficulties are typically the most prominent symptoms in adults with ADHD. Common signs include:
- Being easily distracted by environmental stimuli
- Difficulty maintaining focused attention
- Trouble distinguishing between important and unimportant information
- Needing to reread texts multiple times to understand them
- Racing thoughts and rumination
- These symptoms often impair work performance, attending lectures, or engaging in conversations.
- Impulsivity: Impulse Control Issues
Impulsivity often persists into adulthood. It may manifest as spontaneous decisions, sudden outbursts of anger, or impulsive actions perceived by others as poor impulse control.
ADHD Assessment in Adulthood
For an ADHD diagnosis in adults, symptoms must have been present in childhood and currently impair at least two areas of life (e.g., professional and family life).
The DSM‑5 diagnostic manual distinguishes the following ADHD subtypes:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
Predominantly Hyperactive‑Impulsive Presentation
Combined Presentation (Inattention plus Hyperactivity‑Impulsivity)
Because symptoms may change over time, the term “current presentation” is often used.
Diagnostic Procedure and Costs at Our Berlin Practice
We offer comprehensive ADHD assessment for adults in Berlin, following current S3 guidelines:
- Duration: 3 sessions of 50 minutes each
- Cost: €360 for the full diagnostic process
Upon request, we will prepare a psychotherapeutic report after diagnostic completion, including:
- Detailed assessment results
- Recommendations for psychotherapy or pharmacological treatment
- Cost for the report: €80
Please note: We do not prescribe medication. Pharmacological treatment, if needed, should be coordinated through your general practitioner or specialist.
Why an ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood Makes Sense
Untreated ADHD can lead to multiple challenges, including:
- Work-related difficulties due to concentration issues
- Social conflicts arising from impulsivity
- Emotional strain such as stress, exhaustion, or self-doubt
A timely diagnosis and targeted treatment can help improve daily functioning and life quality.
Book Your ADHD Diagnostic Appointment in Berlin
If you recognize adult ADHD symptoms in yourself and wish for a thorough assessment, we are here to support you. Book an appointment with us.
Sources:
https://www.adhs-infoportal.de/adhs-bei-erwachsenen/symptome-von-adhs
https://www.barmer.de/gesundheit-verstehen/wissen/krankheiten-a-z/adhs-erwachsene-1071016
https://www.adhs-deutschland.de/adhs-erwachsene/adhs-im-erwachsenenalter
