Jason swore he wouldn’t yell at his kids this morning, but as soon as his son wouldn’t put on his shoes for school, he broke his promise. Jason had read every parenting book and tried every breathing app, but nothing worked to help his daily overwhelm. After Jason’s son was recently diagnosed with ADHD, he began connecting the dots for himself: something deeper was throwing him off balance. Finally ready to confront something he had been suspecting for a while, Jason ran to his phone and started searching for ADHD testing in Columbus, Ohio.
When he read about ADHD in adults, Jason was hopeful. Maybe an accurate diagnosis would help him stay calm when it mattered most.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Considerable adults realize they have ADHD when their own children are diagnosed. The stress of parenting can feel overwhelming to folks without the right ADHD specific tools. In this blog, we’ll explore how an accurate diagnosis is the most straightforward path to being the parent you want to be.
The Overlooked Link Between Parental Stress and Untreated ADHD
Studies show that parents with ADHD have higher parenting stress than those without ADHD. The impact of executive functions in ADHD (including planning, limiting distractions, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation) tends to cause chronic overwhelm. All things needed to manage details of everyday life, which are particularly important when kids and work are in the mix. When executive functions are not online, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and dysregulated.
The more stress on an individual with ADHD, particularly as it relates to planning, organizing, and decision-making, the more dysregulated they can become.
Why Staying Calm Feels Impossible Sometimes
One of the most overlooked connections in mental health is ADHD and emotional regulation. ADHD brains are wired for intensity—quick to react, slow to reset. Challenges with self-regulation leave many people with ADHD more vulnerable to overreacting, especially when the people around them (as in that five-year-old throwing his cereal at his sister) overreact too.
Emotional dysregulation doesn’t end with having an outburst. Untreated ADHD also combines with guilt and shame after an outburst. When this happens, even the best-intentioned parents double down on self-criticism and can spiral for hours. Jason often felt that losing his cool was the opposite of the dad he wanted to become.
Signs a Parent Might Have Undiagnosed ADHD
There are many known and unknown signs that a parent could have undiagnosed ADHD. But here are some common ADHD symptoms that relate to parenting in particular:
- Forgetfulness (ie, misplacing keys, wallet, forgetting appointments or kids’ lunch, )
- Feeling zoned out during play time (i.e., mind wandering because playing games isn’t stimulating the ADHD brain)
- Highs and lows emotionally within the same day (i.e., being SUPERFUN parent, followed by burnt out and tired parent within a couple of hours)
- Procrastination (i.e., not putting together house projects or toys for months)
- Impulsive speech (i.e., saying things you don’t mean to your kids and later regret)
Another way to begin to explore ADHD is through an ADHD self-assessment. While not a diagnosis, taking an ADHD quiz can provide initial feedback to see if talking to an ADHD specialist is warranted.
The Ripple Effect on Family Dynamics
Children model what they see adults do— not just what adults say. Jason often worried that he was modeling low frustration tolerance for his kids. He didn’t want to be the angry dad; he had one of those, and it was not great.
Getting an accurate diagnosis ultimately helped him develop a new approach. Not just staying calm, but accepting his brain and learning the right tools to become the best version of himself.
Key Takeaways
- Many adults realize they have ADHD after their children are diagnosed with ADHD.
- The impact of unmanaged ADHD can worsen depending on the stress you are under.
- Many undiagnosed ADHD parents feel more shame without the knowledge of how ADHD impacts them.
Begin Adult ADHD Testing in Columbus, OH
Wondering if you have ADHD? You don’t have to live your life feeling out of control without knowing why. Comprehensive ADHD testing can help you find answers. Our Columbus, OH counseling practice has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD Treatment. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling dysregulated. Start finding calm.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Adult ADHD testing is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services, including ADHD treatment. As an adult with ADHD, you may also benefit from anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, counseling for women with ADHD, ADHD-focused couples therapy, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD Testing in Columbus, Ohio
What does ADHD Testing Consist of?
ADHD testing is usually completed in one 2-3 hour appointment. It consists of multiple data points, including information from someone who knows you well, a complete medical and social history, empirically validated rating scales, and neurological testing. Using multiple data points ensures that your diagnosis is 100% accurate. The more accurate the diagnosis, the more effective the treatment.
How to get ADHD Testing? 
The first step to getting ADHD testing is to learn a bit about ADHD and see if you relate. You can even ask your spouse or someone who knows you well: Hey, does this sound like me? If it’s starting to click, reach out and schedule a phone consultation with an ADHD specialist to explore getting an ADHD evaluation.
How is ADHD testing for adults different from that for kids?
Many adults with ADHD have learnt to mask their ADHD traits. For example, some have become perfectionists or people pleasers, shielding them from receiving criticism from others. As a result, ADHD testing for adults requires a high degree of knowledge and experience to ensure you can read between the ADHD masking lines and uncover if ADHD is truly present.
About the Author
Billy Roberts, LISW-S, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and ADHD expert in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in ADD/ADHD in adults. He has been seen in Time Magazine, CNN, HuffPost, and Forbes discussing his unique approach to ADHD-focused therapy. See Full Bio.
