GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., September 11, 2025 — Mentavi Health announced that its landmark, real-world validation study of the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation has been published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (JCP), a widely read and respected journal. The open-access article demonstrates that Mentavi’s asynchronous, online evaluation is as accurate as a traditional face-to-face clinical interview in the diagnosis of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and provides the first peer-reviewed evidence base for a fully digital diagnostic pathway for adult ADHD. The article posted on Psychiatrist.com at 8:00 am Central time on September 8, 2025 (see link and DOI below).

Key findings from the study¹

• n = 345 adults seeking web-based ADHD assessment (predominantly female; mean age = 35).
• Sensitivity = 80.6% and Positive Predictive Value = 94.9%
• False-positive rate = 12% versus 56% for the in-person clinical interview, indicating the online tool is accurate in diagnosing ADHD in adults
• Note: the full article is freely available via JCP (DOI below).

Executive comments

“Publication in a top-tier peer-review journal moves this evidence base forward, for our diagnostic evaluation specifically and for telehealth in general,” said Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM, Chief Medical Officer at Mentavi Health and first author of the paper. “The study shows that an online ADHD diagnosis can be accurately assessed asynchronously, closing gaps in care created by specialist shortages and long waitlists.”

“This study shows that online, asynchronous ADHD assessments can match the rigor of traditional interviews while expanding access for adults who face long wait times,” said Andrew J. Cutler, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Neuroscience Education Institute and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and study co-author. “It demonstrates accuracy, reduces concerns about overdiagnosis, and advances evidence-based care for underserved groups.”

“Publication in JCP sets a new standard for evidence-based digital mental health,” added Keith Brophy, CEO of Mentavi Health. “It validates years of work to build the most rigorous online diagnostic platform and expands our mission to remove barriers of access to accurate mental-health assessments.”

Study design

The prospective, real-world observational study compared the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation—a self-paced, asynchronous questionnaire interpreted by a doctorate-level psychologist—with a structured face-to-face clinical interview conducted via video. Primary endpoints were sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value relative to DSM-5 criteria. The protocol was IRB-approved and powered to detect ≥80 % sensitivity with 95 % confidence.

Clinical and Public-Health Implications

• Pent-up demand: An estimated 17 million American adults have ADHD, yet waiting lists for specialist evaluation can exceed six months.
  
• Telehealth preference: CDC data indicate 46% of U.S. adults with ADHD already use telehealth services. Until now, no online assessment had been validated.
  
• Health-equity impact: Digital, asynchronous tools remove geographic and scheduling barriers, enabling evidence-based diagnosis for rural, underserved, and shift-working populations.
  

Article details (for authors)

• Journal: The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
• Article title (final): Validity of an Online Assessment of Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among a Real‑World Sample of Adults Seeking Web‑Based Mental Health Care
• Byline: Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM; Stephen V. Faraone, PhD; Andrew J. Cutler, MD; Jeffrey H. Newcorn, MD; Emily M. LaFrance, PhD; Michelle Ripper Lewis, BSN, RN; Charles Ruetsch, PhD
• Citation: J Clin Psychiatry. 2025;86(3):25m15846
• DOI: 10.4088/JCP.25m15846
• URL: https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/Validity-Online-ADHD-Assessment-Real-World-Sample-Adults-Seeking-Web-Based-Mental-Healthcare

About Mentavi Health

Established as ADHD Online in 2018, Mentavi Health has evolved to encompass a broader range of mental health services. With the mission to make high-quality ADHD assessments accessible to all, Mentavi has grown to address not only ADHD but also the most common related mental health conditions. The nationwide Mentavi Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluation and various treatment options showcase the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, compliant online mental health care. For more information, visit mentavi.com.

Media contact

Tim Cox, ZingPR for Mentavi Health
tim@zingpr.com 

¹ Additional statistics, subgroup analyses, and methodological details are available in the open-access article (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, on September 8, 2025 (J Clin Psychiatry 2025;86(3):25m15846; doi:10.4088/JCP.25m15846).

Time blindness is one of those invisible symptoms of ADHD that affects everything from daily routines to long-term goals. 

Fundamentally, it describes the struggle to sense and maintain awareness of the passage of time. 

Practically, it explains why people with ADHD often struggle to estimate how long tasks will take or effectively plan for future events.  

“What executive functions are really about is time,” says Psychologist Dr. Ari Tuckman, ”I sometimes say that ADHD is really about seeing time and feeling the future.” 

Strategies for managing time blindness

The good news is that, as with most ADHD symptoms, there are strategies and tactics to manage time blindness. Dr. Tuckman offered a few that might help.

1. Consider medication

For many with ADHD, proper medication can make a significant difference. Extended-release stimulants can help bridge the gap between knowing what strategies might help and actually being able to implement them consistently.

2. Manage distractions intentionally

Distractions are a big part of time blindness. Dr. Tuckman recommends getting honest with yourself about what distracts you. Then, create distance between yourself and those distractions. For example, if your favorite social media app constantly pulls your attention away from the task at hand, use blockers or timers to keep yourself from opening or scrolling. You might also consider putting your phone in a different room or using a timed lock box when you need to focus.

3. Prioritize Physical Wellbeing

Good sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can significantly improve executive function and time management. Setting alarms and building routines around these wellness activities can help those with ADHD make these habits a part of their day. Even small improvements can enhance your ability to manage time.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness creates a “pause button” between stimulus and response, giving you more opportunities to make conscious choices about how you spend your time. The more frequently you meditate, the better you become at hitting pause more often throughout your day.

6. Use External Time Markers

Set timers, use visual countdown clocks, or schedule regular check-ins to maintain awareness of passing time.

7. Be Realistic About Task Duration

A helpful rule of thumb: Take your initial time estimate for a task and double it. This accounts for transitions, interruptions, and the complexities you might not initially consider.

Self-reflection and awareness

One of the most powerful steps you can take is simply noticing when and how time blindness affects you. Dr. Tuckman suggests reflecting on your day to identify:

1. When did you lose track of time?

2. What activities or situations tend to create time blindness for you?

3. What were the consequences of that time blindness?

4. What strategies helped you stay more time-aware?

Understanding your personal “slippery spots” allows you to implement preventative strategies before you get caught in a cycle of distraction or hyperfocus.

Taking the First Step

If time blindness is affecting your life, you’re not alone. Many adults with ADHD struggle with this invisible challenge, but with the right support and strategies, it can be managed effectively.

Ready to understand your ADHD better? Take the first step by getting a comprehensive diagnosis. ADHD Online offers convenient, comprehensive ADHD testing and assessment from licensed professionals who understand the nuances of adult ADHD, including challenges like time blindness.

This article draws on insights from a podcast conversation hosted by ADHD Online, featuring Dr. Ari Tuckman. His perspectives provide valuable guidance for anyone struggling with time blindness and ADHD, whether diagnosed or seeking to understand their experiences better.

Imagine you’ve gotten an ADHD diagnosis (maybe you don’t have to imagine). It’s changed your life. Suddenly questions have answers, challenges have solutions, and your future has a path.

You also have new things to think about, new needs, and new areas where support might help. But for that, you need to tell people.

Sharing an ADHD diagnosis with others is a personal decision, but it can lead to better support and understanding from those around you. If it’s a step you’re considering, read on for some thoughts and tips.

General Tips for Sharing Your ADHD Diagnosis

Educate Yourself First

Before sharing with others, make sure you understand ADHD and how it affects you personally. Using specific examples of symptoms that you struggle with will help you explain it more clearly.

Choose the Right Time and Place 

Pick a quiet moment when you can have an uninterrupted conversation. Remove distractions that will keep you from staying focused on the conversation.

Be Prepared for Questions

There are many well-shared misconceptions about ADHD. You may have even believed some of them before receiving your diagnosis. Be ready to address common myths and provide factual information or look up questions together.

Use “I” Statements

Focus on your personal experience rather than general statements about ADHD, not only because ADHD can be different for each person but because personal stories make information easier to relate to.

Be Patient 

Understanding ADHD can take time. Think about it as though you and the people in your life are on a journey. Be prepared to keep learning and have ongoing conversations.

Sharing with Family

When it comes to telling the people who love us most or have known us longest, sharing a new diagnosis can come with a bit more emotion. Here are a few ways to navigate that.

Start with Close Family Members 

Begin with those you trust most and who are most involved in your daily life. They are likely to be the most supportive and can help you strategize around how to tell others.

Ask for Specific Support 

Your family loves you and wants to help. But they may have different ideas about how that looks. Clearly communicate how they can help you manage your ADHD.

Sharing with Friends

Like family, your friends care about you and want what’s best for you. Telling them can be a big part of your ADHD journey.

Choose Friends Wisely 

Just like our mothers taught us in middle school, choose carefully. In this case, share first with friends who are understanding and supportive. They’ll not only help you continue to adjust to this diagnosis but also give you the confidence to continue sharing.

Be Casual but Clear 

If setting up a formal conversation feels right, maybe because your friend lives far away or you’re both incredibly busy, go for it. But know that you don’t need to make it a formal announcement. It’s completely ok to bring it up naturally in conversation.

Explain How It Might Affect Your Friendship

Or explore how it has already been affecting your friendship. For example, if you sometimes forget plans or struggle with time management, talk with your friend about how you now know why you have these challenges–and how you’re working to make things better.

Sharing in the Workplace

Like sharing with family and friends, sharing your diagnosis in the workplace can also bring up a lot of emotion. It can also increase anxiety and job stress. For a more detailed look at how to share your diagnosis at work and possible accommodations, check out our article Should I Reveal My ADHD at Work?

Know Your Rights

Familiarize yourself with workplace protections for individuals with ADHD, both legally and using information from your company handbook when necessary. It’s good to know the facts as you enter into these conversations. 

Decide Who Needs to Know

You may choose to inform only your supervisor or HR department rather than all coworkers. Or you may let those know who you work most closely with. Remember that not everyone needs to know, only those who will help support you along the way.

Focus on Job Performance

Explain how ADHD affects your work, how you are managing your symptoms, and any accommodations that could help you perform better. Your boss and company should want to help you be happy and productive.

Highlight Your Strengths

ADHD often comes with unique strengths like creativity and problem-solving skills. Emphasize these so that you can both begin to work towards removing the ADHD stigma but also so that your boss and coworkers can be on the lookout for projects that are best suited to your unique talents.

Be Professional

Keep the conversation focused on work-related impacts and solutions.

Sharing your ADHD diagnosis can be a powerful step towards building stronger, more understanding relationships. It can lead to better support systems at home, among friends, and in the workplace. Remember, how much you share and with whom is entirely your decision. Take your time, choose your moments, and prioritize your comfort and well-being throughout the process.

Thinking you might need an ADHD Diagnosis? Take our Diagnostic Evaluation to see if ADHD has been getting in your way.

Dr. Amy Marschall, Psy.D

Hyperactivity, social difficulties, hyperfocus, and impulsivity. The overlapping symptoms between ADHD and Autism don’t stop there but they are often under-recognized in patients who could benefit from a specific diagnosis and treatment plan.

ADHD and Autism are not mutually exclusive

But until 2013, these two lifelong conditions were thought to never occur together. Which means that not only were patients presenting with ADHD not evaluated for autism (and vice versa), but the idea that they should be was not considered. Thankfully, we now know that they can co-occur and might even share some causation and roots.

ADHD and Autism frequently occur together

Research indicates that approximately 10% of people have ADHD, while about 3% are autistic. But the overlap between these conditions is significant—40-70% of autistic individuals also have ADHD, and nearly half of those with ADHD may be autistic. This co-occurrence is sometimes referred to as AuDHD.

Not everyone with ADHD is autistic, and not all autistic individuals have ADHD. Properly identifying each condition and identifying the overlap is crucial for providing the right support and treatment. While each person will experience a different balance of symptoms, some of the most common that appear in both ADHD and autism include:

• Social Difficulties: Both groups may struggle with social interactions due to their neurodivergent traits.
• Movement and Vocalization: This includes hyperactivity, fidgeting, or stimming behaviors like humming or whistling.
• Hyper-focus: Individuals might intensely focus on specific tasks or interests, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else.
• Academic Challenges: Both ADHD and autism can lead to struggles in a traditional academic setting.
• Self-Care Difficulties: Activities like maintaining hygiene can be more challenging for individuals with these neurodivergences.

The Connection Between ADHD and Autism

What Does AuDHD Look Like?

Just like ADHD and autism individually, each individual with AuDHD has unique symptoms. Still, though there is no single way to identify AuDHD, some indications include: include:

• Difficulty with Routine: Struggling to maintain a set schedule, even when routines are beneficial.
• Intolerance to Change: Difficulty adapting to changes unless they initiate them.
• Impulsivity: Engaging in impulsive behaviors, such as risk-taking or seeking activities that provide a dopamine rush.
• Shifting Interests: Intense focus on new hobbies or topics that may be quickly abandoned.
• Interruptive Behavior: Frequently interrupting others during conversations or blurting out thoughts.

Diagnosing AuDHD

Many healthcare providers are trained to identify ADHD and autism separately and therefore may lack the training to recognize where the two overlap. This can lead to misdiagnosis, particularly in individuals who don’t fit the typical profiles, such as women, people of color, or those from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you suspect you might have both ADHD and autism, it’s crucial to find a provider experienced in diagnosing these conditions together. A thorough evaluation may include:

• History Taking: Providers might ask about your developmental history and the specific traits you experience.
• Collateral Information: They may want to speak with someone who knows you well or knew you as a child, though this isn’t always necessary.
• Psychological Testing: You might complete questionnaires or other assessments to help clarify your neurodivergent traits.

Because the intersection of ADHD and autism is still underrecognized, many people with AuDHD aren’t diagnosed until later in life. However, seeking a diagnosis and support tailored to your unique needs is never too late.

Dr. Marschall is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD and autism across the lifespan. She is an author, speaker, and advocate for neurodiversity-affirming care and improving access to accurate diagnoses and mental health support for the ADHD and autistic communities. She owns a private practice providing assessments and therapy. She was diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult.