Prepping for a Diagnostic Conversation with Your Specialist

When I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 48, it was the most beautiful and painful moment of my life.
Suddenly, everything made sense, and that followed with every emotion known to man. Still, knowing
why I am the way I am, how it has affected me for 40 years, and how I can improve myself and my life
have been incredible. And led me to you.

So, why did I create this for you? Simple. I do not want anyone to struggle any longer than they must. I
also know that adult women are very frequently gaslighted regarding mental health, and
symptoms of ADHD are often diagnosed as anxiety and/or depression. I was misdiagnosed 15 years
ago with both.

This workbook will help you to do a deep dive into your life and history to see what symptoms are
presented when and how they manifest in your life and affect it. This workbook ensures you go into any
meeting with any health professional prepared and ready to advocate for yourself.

Fun fact: I almost made a slide deck presentation for my intake appointment with my ADHD
psychiatrist (color coded, obvi…), so I didn’t forget anything. Tell me you have ADHD without telling
me you have ADHD…

Fill this out in detail. Use multiple examples if you have them. Go back as far as you can. Will it be
painful? Yes. Will you be angry at some point? Also, yes. Will you be filled with shame? Sadly, also yes.
But, it’s okay. Do it anyway. You. Are. Worth. This.

I wanted my life back, and I have taken it back. I want you to do the same.

Who Should I Speak to?

I HIGHLY recommend speaking to a psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD, particularly in adults. You
may love your general practitioner, but they are not experts in the DSM-5, nor do they work with it every
day. You will need to do some digging to find a psychiatrist, but they may be one of the most important
connections you make in your life!

Can I just go online?

There are several places online where you can be diagnosed. If that works for you, great! I understand
that for many, this process being is easy, essential to it getting done. I feel you. If you want to see
someone in person, read on!

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

Steps to finding the right medical professional
1. Check your insurance first. Some insurance companies require you to get a referral from your
general practitioner. Some allow you to make an appointment directly with a psychiatrist.
2. Search for your psychiatrist. Start with your in-network providers and Google, Google, Google.
3. You can always email a healthcare professional, introduce yourself, and let them know you are
looking for help specifically with an adult ADHD diagnosis to ensure you have a good match.

American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD

The DSM-5 is what will be used to assess your symptoms. Other tools, such as online assessments,
computer tests, scales, and even brain scans, may also be used. The DSM-5 criteria are a certainty,
though. Use the spaces below each symptom to make notes to prepare for your conversation.
People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that
interferes with functioning or development:

1. Inattention: Five or more for adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for
at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in

schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.

En la tienda nunca logré hacer que no se me fuera un detalle

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Todos los días me propongo y olvido hacer las cosas
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
No logro detallar personalidades y recordar detalles de ellos
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

• Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.

Mientras hago una cosa quiero hacer otra

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Por eso no me gusta ver películas ya
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
No puedo conversar si escuchar o ver alrededor
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

Me deben repetir las cosas muchas veces

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
A veces escucho pero mi cerebro no procesa rápido
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________
Y debo pedir que me repitan mientras proceso
_______________________________________________________________________
A veces del todo no puedo poner atención
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores,
or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).

Necesito instrucciones para vivir

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Me puede causar ansiedad tener que seguir una estructura
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

• Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.

Tengo problema para organizar dura te mucho tiempp

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________
Luego entró en crisis y organizó todo perfectamente bien
_______________________________________________________________________
Luego no soy capaz de seguir el orden de las cosas que organicé
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a
long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

Solo si hay un deathline que me obliga a entregar

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________
Pero odio tener que usar la mente en un trabajo escrito
_______________________________________________________________________

Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils,
books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).

Todo lo pierdo en todo momento

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Pero siempre vuelven las cosas
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Específicamente el teléfono y el bolso
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

• Is often easily distracted

En conversaciones no puedo estar 100%

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
En proyectos me enfoco solo cuando estoy en hiperfoco
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
En trabajo es muy difícil concentrarme en la persona que me habla
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

 • Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Me gustaría escribir cada cosa que debo hacer durante el día

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________
Pero es probable que ver todos los tasks me dé ansiedad
_______________________________________________________________________
O que no sea capaz de cumplir todo y me ahueve
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Five or more for adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-

impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and
inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:

• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.

Los dedos de las manos, frotar los pies, vibrar un pie

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________
Morder labios, tocar nariz con el labio, morder cachete por dentro, rascar cabeza
_______________________________________________________________________
Tocar pelo, tocar anillos, tocar o chupar uñas,
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________
Tronar dedos, tocar Bateria imaginaria, silbar, spinner, beatbox
_______________________________________________________________________
Coser lugares o cosas en la mente, contar números, contar pasos
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.

De niña lo hacia seguido, de adulto tengo toda la necesidad

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________
De hacerlo pero sé que no debo y sufro todo el rato hasta que puedo levantarme
_______________________________________________________________________
O busco alguna excusa decente para ponerme de pie y moverme
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________
(Cuando tengo ganas de existir)
_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or
adults may be limited to feeling restless).

Muy pocas veces logro estar quieta y cuando lo hago es

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________
O porque estoy depre o muy concentrada en algo que me llamo la atención
_______________________________________________________________________

Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

• Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.

Me gusta el silencio y la soledad

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Pero por otro lado siempre estoy haciendo ruidos
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Silbar, cantar, tararear, sonidos en general
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.

O planeo todo al 100% o me muevo en piloto automático

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

• Often talks excessively.

Siempre me dicen que me calle

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Desde pequeña y hasta la fecha
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.

Siempre pienso en cómo termina esa frase

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
A veces es un juego porque siempre sé cómo van a terminar
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Y a veces es solo ansiedad de que terminen de hablar rápido
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________
Para yo poder decir lo que tengo que decir antes de olvidarlo
________________________________________________________________________

• Often has trouble waiting their turn.

Me estresa esperar aunque con los años he aprendido a hacerlo

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
En las filas no puedo quedarme quieta
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Para hablar casi siempre interrumpo aunque se que no debería
Example #3: ____________________________________________________________
E intento evitarlo
________________________________________________________________________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

 • Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

Si en todo momento de mi vida

Example #1: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
Me regañan y ya yo sé que no hay que hacerlo pero me doy cuenta
Example #2: ____________________________________________________________
Hasta que ya lo hice y ya probablemente me hicieron mala cara
_______________________________________________________________________

Example #3: ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

In addition, the following conditions must be met:

Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.

Atravesarse en conversaciones Siempre

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Distraída y olvidadiza Siempre

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Cero filtros Siempre

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Several symptoms are present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school or work; with
friends or relatives; in other activities).

Dice mi mamá que nunca me quedaba quieta 7 años

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Muy desordenada todo lo perdía Siempre

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school,
or work functioning.

La necesidad de saber todo 100% especificado

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

El no entender las cosas por una sola palabra que no me calza

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

© 2022 Vanessa Torre

 The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as a mood disorder,
anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder). The symptoms do not happen
only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Symptom: ________________________________________________________ Age: _________

Symptom Tally

Total inattentive symptoms: __________ Total hyperactive symptoms: ______________

Based on the types of symptoms, three kinds (presentations) of ADHD can occur. Check
the box that correlates with the results of your symptom assessment.

Combined Presentation: if enough symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-

impulsivity were present for the past 6 months

Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: if enough symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-

impulsivity, were present for the past six months

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: if enough symptoms of hyperactivity-

impulsivity, but not inattention, were present for the past six months.

I truly hope this helps you on your journey! I have lots more resources for you and I’d love to stay
connected. You can find me most places where you find people and more!

Website: www.vanessatorre.com

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Email: vanessa@vanessatorre.com

© 2022 Vanessa Torre