Clinician handoff
ADHD
Designed for a 60-second scan in primary care. Use this to explain why this theory fits, what would weaken it, and which tests are most worth discussing.
Why this still fits
I want to evaluate whether ADHD is contributing to my brain fog and to separate that baseline pattern from sleep problems, depression, bipolar II, autism overlap, medication effects, thyroid issues, and low ferritin or B12.
What would weaken it
- -How does my pattern compare with depression - lifelong executive dysfunction versus a more episodic, mood-linked slowdown?
- -How do we separate ADHD from bipolar II, especially if I have racing thoughts, mood shifts, or impulsive spending?
- -How do we sort ADHD from autism overlap if sensory overload and social fatigue are both present?
- -Do you think sleep loss or sleep apnea needs to be ruled out before we commit to an ADHD-only explanation?
Key points to communicate
- •Please document what findings would increase confidence for ADHD and what would lower it.
- •Please tell me what childhood evidence or collateral history would be most useful.
- •Please separate baseline ADHD pattern from sleep, mood, medication, thyroid, or ferritin-related amplifiers.
Tests and measurements to discuss
Need the fuller context? Use the test explainers for the measurement itself, or jump back to the tests section on the ADHD page to see how the tests fit the whole pattern.
ASRS-v1.1 screening + full clinical evaluation using DSM-5 criteria + collateral history
What this helps clarify: Patient-facing ADHD screener route matching the ASRS-v1.1 wording used in results cards and clinician conversations.
Range context
0-6 screener context
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
DIVA-5 interview if the clinic uses it
What this helps clarify: Structured adult ADHD interview used when a clinic wants a full question-by-question diagnostic history instead of relying on a quick screener alone.
WURS or another childhood-symptom tool if early history is unclear
What this helps clarify: Retrospective childhood-symptom tool that helps show whether the pattern was present long before adult stress, burnout, or sleep disruption entered the picture.
TSH + Free T4, ferritin, B12, vitamin D, fasting glucose or HbA1c as indicated
What this helps clarify: Higher fasting glucose impairs executive function
Range context
70–85 mg/dL (optimal)
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
Sleep apnea screening or sleep study if snoring, gasping, or unrefreshing sleep are part of the story
What this helps clarify: Overnight polysomnography explainer framed around the patient-facing 'sleep study' language most people actually search.
Range context
Sleep report
How to use the result
Ask whether the goal is to rule in sleep apnea, UARS, or another sleep-disruption pattern.
Peer-reviewed references