[throwaway60707]

The diagnosis is a continual process. My psychiatrist first did many questionnaires with me to determine whether it might be ADHD or something else, and then prescribed ADHD medication (first Strattera but that gave me significant side effects, now I'm on Concerta).

But this doesn't end with the prescription - I visit the doctor every 2 weeks and he continually questions me about the effects the medication has on my life, and tries to see whether it matches the expected outcome for a person with ADHD. If it did not, they would change the diagnosis.

In my case, everything fits - the stimulants make me slow down or even sleep, I'm less angry and overall more emotionally stable, less impulsive, and finally able to work on a task that I choose for an extended period of time. If this was not the case, I'm sure the doctor would be looking for a different diagnosis.