ADHD and ADD diagnostics for adults in Vienna

When concentration, drive or rest become a recurring issue

Many adults have felt for years that they function differently: They are creative and quick-thinking, but easily lose the thread.

Many sufferers describe a constant feeling of „inner restlessness“ or the experience of „not being fully focused“ - despite great effort. Typical signs can be

Difficulty maintaining attention over a longer period of time
Strong experience of distraction, especially during routine tasks
Impulsive actions, rash decisions
Restlessness, urge to move or constant inner tension
Procrastination, time blindness or a chaotic way of working
Sensory overload, emotional hypersensitivity
Sudden bursts of motivation, followed by exhaustion
Problems structuring or completing tasks

A diagnosis is particularly useful if these patterns have been present in varying degrees since childhood and are evident in different areas of life - for example at work, in relationships or in everyday life.

Step 1: Initial consultation and medical history

During the initial consultation, the patient's life story, childhood development, previous stresses, school and work experiences, strengths and coping strategies are discussed. The focus is not on deficits, but on an overall picture of the individual's functioning.

Step 2: Questionnaires and external assessments

Standardized self-assessment questionnaires (e.g. ASRS or CAARS) help to identify typical ADHD/ADS patterns. If possible, external assessments (partner, parents, friends) supplement the picture - because many affected people compensate for their symptoms so well over the years that they only consciously perceive some of them themselves.

Step 3: Clinical exploration and testing

Clinical exploration deepens the understanding of concentration, attention, impulsivity and emotional regulation. This can be supplemented by neuropsychological tests can be used to objectively assess executive functions (e.g. planning, working memory, reaction control).

Step 4: Evaluation and summary

The results from the interview, questionnaires and tests are combined in an overall profile. This makes it clear whether an ADHD or ADD diagnosis is present, to what extent, and which accompanying factors (e.g. stress, depression, anxiety) play a role.

Step 5: Feedback interview

In the final meeting you will receive detailed feedback on:

the diagnostic results,
Your individual strengths and resources,
possible treatment and support options (e.g. psychotherapy, coaching, medication, self-organization),
as well as recommendations on how you can adapt your working and everyday environment.

One Large international meta-analysis (Fayyad et al, World Health Organization / WHO, 2021) showed that worldwide about

2,58 % of the adults a persistent ADHD (i.e. it began in childhood and continues),
and round 6,76 % one symptomatic ADHD, which was not always diagnosed in childhood.

This corresponds to over 350 million adults, which are affected in different ways.

Further studies (e.g. Kessler et al., 2022; Song et al., 2023) confirm this frequency and show that ADHD in adults often remains unrecognized - especially in women and in people with predominantly inattentive symptoms (ADD).

Research also shows that a Timely diagnosis significantly reduces the likelihood of depressive episodes, burnout and self-esteem problems, as those affected learn to better understand and structure their functioning.

An ADHD or ADD diagnosis does not explain „who you are“, but rather how to work.

It describes a neurobiological pattern with increased openness to stimuli, impulsive reaction processing and peculiarities in dopaminergic signal processing - not a lack of willpower or discipline. The result shows:

Which patterns are typical for you,
How strong the symptoms are pronounced,
Which resources you have already developed,
which strategies can help you in everyday life.

Good diagnostics are always more than one test result - It is the beginning of a more conscious way of dealing with yourself.

The treatment of ADHD/ADS in adulthood can be very individual. It usually includes:

Psychoeducation - Understanding what ADHD means
Psychotherapy (e.g. behavioral therapy, ACT, hypnosystemic or psychodynamic approaches)
Medication support, if indicated (e.g. methylphenidate or atomoxetine)
Structuring and self-management training
Coaching on professional organization and everyday efficiency
Relaxation and mindfulness strategies

The goal is not „normality“, but Functionality: to use your own energy and creativity in a way that supports rather than overwhelms.

After the diagnostics, the most important part begins - the implementation.

Many sufferers experience a clear improvement in their health shortly after diagnosis. Relief, because they understand: „I'm not too weak - I'm just wired differently.“ Recommended are:

Regular therapy or coaching appointments for stabilization
Exchange with other affected persons
Structures and routines that suit your rhythm
Small, achievable goals instead of excessive demands
Patience with yourself - change takes time

An ADHD/ADS diagnosis can therefore be a decisive turning point from a feeling of failure to a more natural approach to one's own way of thinking, feeling and acting.

When is an ADHD or ADD diagnosis useful?