Will I Leave my First Appointment with a Diagnosis?

The short answer?

Usually...yes.

But not always.

And if I don't, there's a good reason.

Mental health isn't always black and white.

Sometimes someone walks into my office describing symptoms that clearly fit a particular diagnosis. In those situations, we can often confidently identify what's going on during the first appointment and create a treatment plan together.

Other times, things are a little more layered.

Anxiety can affect concentration and look a lot like ADHD.

Trauma can sometimes resemble anxiety, depression, or even symptoms that people mistake for ADHD.

Poor sleep, medical conditions, hormones, substance use, grief, chronic stress, and certain medications can all create symptoms that overlap with mental health diagnoses.

Part of my job is figuring out why you're experiencing symptoms—not just checking boxes on a list.

Sometimes the most accurate answer takes a little time.

I know it can be frustrating to hear, "I'd like to learn a little more before making that diagnosis."

But in psychiatry, taking the time to get it right is often much more valuable than giving an answer too quickly.

If I'm confident in a diagnosis, I'll tell you.

If I need more time so that we have enough data to make a more accurate determination, I'll tell you that too.

You'll never have to wonder what I'm thinking or where we are in the process.

What about ADHD evaluations?

One question I get a lot is whether someone will receive an ADHD diagnosis during their first appointment.

In many cases, yes.

My ADHD evaluations are completed during your 90-minute intake appointment, and if the diagnostic criteria are met, we can often discuss treatment options during the same visit.

However, if there are other conditions that could better explain the symptoms - or if I feel there isn't enough information yet to make an accurate diagnosis - we'll talk through what additional information is needed before moving forward.

The goal is never to make getting diagnosed harder.

The goal is to make sure the diagnosis is the right one.

My priority is accuracy, not speed.

A diagnosis is a clinical tool that helps guide treatment.

Sometimes that happens during the first appointment.

Sometimes it takes additional time and information.

Either way, my commitment is the same: to give you the most accurate assessment I can, explain my thought process along the way, and make sure you feel informed and involved in every step of the process.

At the end of the day, I'd rather take a little extra time to get it right than give you an answer that doesn't truly fit.