What questions do they ask in an adult ADHD assessment?

You'll be asked about current symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity

The core of the interview walks through the two symptom domains DSM-5-TR uses for ADHD: inattention (things like difficulty sustaining focus, losing track of tasks, forgetfulness) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (restlessness, interrupting, difficulty waiting). Adults need to show a pattern of several symptoms in at least one domain, persisting for at least six months, for a diagnosis to apply, so expect specific questions about how often something happens and in what situations, not just whether it has ever happened.

The Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) sets out this structured, criteria-based approach in its national practice guidelines, which is the framework most Canadian clinicians, including nurse practitioners and physicians, use to organize an ADHD interview.

Expect the interview to ask for concrete, recent examples rather than general self-descriptions. "I lose track of what I'm doing partway through a task, most days, at work and at home" gives a clinician something to work with; "I've always been a bit scattered" does not. Adults are also asked how long a pattern has been present, since DSM-5-TR requires several symptoms to have persisted for at least six months before the assessment, not just a stressful recent stretch.

You'll be asked whether some symptoms showed up before age 12

DSM-5-TR requires that several symptoms have been present before age 12, even if the full picture wasn't recognized as ADHD at the time. Expect questions about elementary and early school experiences: whether teachers commented on attention or behaviour, how homework and organization went, and whether you remember being more restless, distractible, or impulsive than peers your age. You do not need report cards in hand to answer these questions; your own recollection, and a parent's or older sibling's if available, is a normal part of this part of the interview.

The clinician will ask how symptoms affect your day-to-day functioning right now

A DSM-5-TR diagnosis also requires clear evidence that symptoms interfere with functioning in two or more settings, so expect specific questions about work or school performance, relationships, household management, finances, and driving. Resources on adult ADHD screening and assessment from CAMH describe this functional-impact review as a core part of a thorough assessment, not an optional add-on to the symptom checklist.

• Work or school: missed deadlines, disorganization, trouble finishing tasks
• Relationships: forgetfulness, interrupting, difficulty following conversations
• Household and finances: bills, appointments, paperwork falling behind
• Driving: distractibility, speeding, near-misses
• Daily routines: time management, starting and finishing chores

Expect questions about your broader mental health, sleep, and medical history

Conditions such as mood or anxiety difficulties, sleep problems, and substance use can overlap with or mimic ADHD symptoms, so a thorough interview asks about them to rule out other explanations and to plan safe, personalized care. This isn't an accusation or a detour from ADHD; it's part of how a responsible assessment distinguishes ADHD from, or identifies it alongside, other conditions.

You'll also usually be asked about any medications you currently take, past mental health diagnoses or treatment, and relevant family history, since ADHD has a strong genetic component and a family history of similar traits can support the overall picture. None of this is meant to catch you out; it's the same kind of history-taking that goes into most thorough medical assessments, adapted to ADHD's specific diagnostic criteria.

Standardized questionnaires support the interview, but don't replace clinical judgment

Many assessments include a validated self-report questionnaire alongside the structured interview, used as one data point among several. CADDRA's guidelines and CAMH's screening resources both describe these tools as an aid to a comprehensive clinical interview, not a stand-in for it; a score alone does not make or rule out a diagnosis. CADDRA's guidance on psychosocial interventions also notes that a thorough assessment considers current coping strategies and supports already in place, which becomes relevant once treatment planning begins.

For a broader look at how the interview fits into the rest of the process, see what questions are asked during an ADHD assessment. You can also try the free screener at get started, which is a starting point, not a diagnosis, before booking a full assessment.