If you’re an adult in Germany trying to get an ADHD diagnosis, you’ve probably hit a wall, or twelve. You’re not imagining it: the current system is overwhelmed, outdated, and often discouraging. While social media and podcasts have made millions of adults aware of ADHD traits, the reality of getting actual support is another story entirely.
Let’s break down why it’s so hard, and what’s (not) working right now.
Adult ADHD in Germany can only be diagnosed by psychiatrists, neurologists, or specially trained psychotherapists. The problem? Very few of them are trained to do it, or even want to.
In many cities, you’ll find just one or two specialists offering adult ADHD evaluations with waiting times of anywhere from 6 to 24 months.
Germany has over 2 million adults with ADHD, but only a fraction of professionals qualified to diagnose them. The bottleneck is real, and it’s growing.
Even if you do find a doctor, the diagnosis isn’t straightforward. You’ll be asked to prove that your symptoms started before age 12. That often means digging up old school reports or convincing your parents to join for interviews.
For many, especially those estranged from family, immigrants, or those without access to old records, this is simply not possible.
The process is not only time-consuming, but also not well reimbursed. As a result, many doctors quietly avoid offering ADHD assessments altogether.
Germany took until 2011 to recognise adult ADHD pharmacologically and until 2017/18 to enclose it in national guidelines. Adult care pathways weren’t developed, and in many places, they still aren’t.
Most general practitioners (Hausärzt:innen) don’t diagnose ADHD. Instead, they refer patients to overloaded psychiatrists. This lack of coordination means people bounce between doctors, waiting months or years, often with no clear next step.