Do I Have ADHD?
Symptoms and Evaluation Options in Gainesville
If you’re wondering whether you might have ADHD, you’re not alone.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed a lot.
Maybe you procrastinate even when something matters.
Maybe your focus comes and goes in unpredictable waves.
Therapy is a low-pressure place to sort it out. If you want to talk through your symptoms, you can schedule a session or brief consultation.
Quick Signs You Might Have ADHD
Here are some simple patterns many people notice:
• Trouble starting tasks, even small ones
• Losing track of time
• Forgetting what you just read
• Feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities
• Switching between hyperfocus and “zero focus”
• Getting distracted quickly
• Avoiding boring or unclear tasks
• Misplacing items often
• Emotions hitting hard and fast
These don’t automatically mean ADHD.
But they are common ADHD-related experiences.
I also wrote a guide on how ADHD appears in adults, which can help you compare your own experiences.
What ADHD Often Feels Like
If you read these and think “that’s me,” you’re probably not imagining it.
““ADHD is lying on the couch scrolling on my phone, fully aware I have something important tomorrow, feeling more anxious by the minute, and still not being able to make myself start.””
““Some days a simple list like laundry, groceries, short walk really is my whole day. It is not that I do not care. My brain just runs out of gas way sooner than people think.””
Many people see these quotes and think, “wait… that’s me.”
It’s not laziness, its a unique brain wiring designed for the outdoors, not the modern day.
In counseling, we sort through what you’re experiencing and figure out whether an ADHD evaluation in Gainesville is the right next step.
Many people also deal with ADHD motivation and task paralysis, where starting even simple tasks can feel physically heavy.
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale
A Simple First Step for Gainesville Adults Who Wonder About ADHD
If you’ve been struggling with focus, organization, procrastination, or restlessness, the ASRS is one of the quickest ways to see whether your symptoms match common ADHD patterns. It doesn’t diagnose ADHD on its own, but it can give you helpful insight before you decide whether to pursue a full evaluation.
Why this matters
The ASRS is widely used because it’s quick, research-based, and closely reflects the ADHD criteria used by psychologists and medical providers.
If the screening suggests ADHD is likely, the next step is a full evaluation that looks at childhood history, daily functioning, and rules out other causes like anxiety, depression, or sleep issues.
How it works
The ASRS has eighteen total questions.
The first six matter the most.
They are the strongest predictors of adult ADHD in research studies.
Each item has the same response options:
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Positive results depend on the question. Some require “often.” Some count even if you say “sometimes.”
Below is a paraphrased version of the first six questions so you can try the screening yourself.
The six core questions
1
How often do you have trouble finishing tasks you start?
Positive if often or very often
2
How often do you struggle to keep things organized or in order?
Positive if often or very often
3
How often do you forget appointments, deadlines, or responsibilities?
Positive if sometimes, often, or very often
4
How often do you delay or avoid tasks that take a lot of mental effort?
Positive if often or very often
5
How often do you feel restless or find yourself fidgeting?
Positive if often or very often
6
How often do you feel overly active or unable to relax?
Positive if sometimes, often, or very often
How to read your results
If four or more of these questions fall into the positive range, research shows a high likelihood of ADHD traits.
This doesn’t mean “you have ADHD.”
It means the pattern is strong enough that a proper evaluation could give clarity.
What a full ADHD evaluation looks like
A provider will look at:
• Your childhood history
• How symptoms show up at work, school, and home
• Sleep, anxiety, depression, trauma, or medical factors
• How much these challenges genuinely affect your daily life
Only licensed medical or psychological professionals can diagnose ADHD.
““It feels like there are only a few usable hours in the day. If I miss that tiny window of focus, the whole day feels lost.””
““I save posts to read later and never look at them again. Years of stuff I meant to get to.””
Why It’s Hard to Tell
ADHD can overlap with:
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Sleep issues
• Technology overload
Sometimes it’s ADHD.
Sometimes it’s life being too much.
Often, it’s both.
Therapy helps you sort out the patterns .I also wrote a guide on ADHD and technology overload if screens make your symptoms feel worse.
What We Explore Together in Therapy
• Your symptoms and day-to-day patterns
• What feels overwhelming or difficult
• Whether ADHD traits fit your experience
• Whether a formal evaluation might help
• How motivation and procrastination show up for you
• Tools that make daily life easier
You don’t need a diagnosis to start getting help.
ADHD Evaluation Options in Gainesville
If you want formal testing, I can refer you to trusted providers in my building and in the Gainesville community.
Evaluations are typically done by:
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Primary care providers
• Local testing centers
What to expect from an evaluation:
• A conversation about your history
• Questionnaires
• Sometimes cognitive or attention testing
You’re not required to get tested.
It’s simply one available option.
How Counseling Helps (With or Without a Diagnosis)
• ADHD-friendly time management
• Breaking tasks into manageable steps
• Tools for overwhelm and emotional intensity
• Routines that work with your brain, not against it
• Organization strategies that are realistic
• Accountability without shame
• Understanding your own patterns with more compassion
I also have a full page on how CBT for ADHD helps with overwhelm, follow-through, and daily structure.
You can also explore DBT for ADHD for help with emotional swings, impulsive moments, and stress tolerance.
Gainesville and Telehealth Options
• In-person ADHD-focused counseling in Gainesville
• Telehealth for clients anywhere in Florida
• Guidance toward evaluation providers if you want testing
• A supportive, judgment-free space
If you want a deeper breakdown of what ADHD therapy looks like, here’s my full Gainesville ADHD counseling page.
Ready to Figure Out What’s Going On?
If you’re in Gainesville or anywhere in Florida and wondering whether you might have ADHD, therapy can help you get clarity without pressure.
You’re welcome to reach out for in-person sessions or telehealth support anywhere in Florida.
FAQ
Can a therapist tell me if I have ADHD?
A therapist can help you review your symptoms, explore your patterns, and decide whether ADHD might fit your experience.
A formal diagnosis is done by psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care providers, or testing centers.
I can refer you to trusted evaluation providers in Gainesville if you want testing.
What are the most common signs of ADHD in adults?
Common signs include trouble starting tasks, losing track of time, forgetfulness, overwhelm, emotional intensity, and switching between hyperfocus and zero focus.
These can look different from childhood ADHD, which is why many adults are missed or misdiagnosed.
How do I know if I should get an ADHD evaluation?
It may be worth getting evaluated if:
• you’ve struggled with focus your whole life
• you constantly feel behind or overwhelmed
• daily tasks take more energy than they should
• you’re unsure whether it’s ADHD or anxiety
Therapy can help you decide if testing is the right next step.
Where can I get tested for ADHD in Gainesville Florida?
You can get ADHD evaluations through psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care providers, or specialized testing centers.
I can refer you to trusted local providers in Gainesville, including some in the same building as my office.
Do I need an ADHD diagnosis before starting counseling?
No. Many clients start counseling first, explore their symptoms, and decide later whether they want a formal evaluation. Therapy works with or without a diagnosis.
Can adults develop ADHD later in life?
ADHD doesn’t suddenly appear in adulthood, but life changes (stress, burnout, work demands, parenting, technology overload) can make symptoms more noticeable.
Many adults realize the signs were always there, just never identified.
Is ADHD the same as being distracted or unmotivated?
No. ADHD affects how your brain handles attention, task initiation, emotions, and time.
It’s not laziness or lack of willpower.
Can ADHD symptoms be caused by anxiety or burnout instead?
Yes. Anxiety, stress, depression, burnout, sleep issues, and technology overload can all mimic ADHD.
Therapy helps sort out what’s ADHD-like and what’s coming from other factors.
What if I relate to ADHD symptoms but don’t want medication?
Medication is one option, not a requirement. Many clients focus on therapy strategies, habits, routines, and ADHD-friendly tools. You’re in charge of your treatment path.
What does ADHD-focused counseling look like?
Counseling can include:
• time and task management skills
• building routines you can stick to
• managing overwhelm and emotional intensity
• breaking tasks into doable steps
• organizing your day in ways your brain can follow
• accountability and support
These tools help with or without a diagnosis.