The GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment, if necessary.
ADHD in adults is often diagnosed by the primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist,. To diagnose ADHD in adults, the doctor will need a history of the adult's behavior as a child.
A formal diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by qualified health professionals. Whilst general practitioners, and other front-line health providers may have useful information and experience in identifying ADHD symptoms, the diagnosis needs to be made by a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist.
Who Diagnoses ADHD? Attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a pediatrician or family doctor, a nurse practitioner, a neurologist, a master level counselor, or a social worker.
Medicare Rebates:
To access Medicare rebates you will need to see your GP and request a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Medicare offers up to 10 sessions of therapy a year for people diagnosed with ADHD who are under this plan. It will cover standard psychological therapy including skill training.
There are no adult public mental health services that can diagnose ADHD without cost. Accessing private clinics and clinicians is the usual way adults can be assessed for ADHD in Australia.
To book an assessment with a psychologist, you will be required to pay the $320 assessment fee to confirm the first session interview time.
Go to your GP and have an open and frank conversation about why you think you have ADHD. Talk about any and all mental health concerns you might have. The goal is to help you with your issues. It is not an “ADHD or not” conversation it should be much wider than that.
ADHD has the stigma of being overdiagnosed, so many adults who suspect they may have the disorder suffer in silence. “But if your ADHD symptoms are in any way interfering with your quality of life, it's worthwhile to bring them up to your physician,” Dr. Ramsay says.
Generally, paediatricians and child psychiatrists may prescribe for persons under 18 years of age. For adults, psychiatrists are mainly authorised to prescribe psychostimulants. In very limited circumstances, a general practitioner may be authorised to prescribe psychostimulant medication.
Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. This is because ADHD symptoms can lead to focus, concentration, and impulsivity problems. When these problems are not managed effectively, they can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and low self-esteem.
It is possible to get a shared care agreement with your GP for medication (so you only pay the NHS prescription charge), but some will refuse if you have a private diagnosis and that can make things difficult. That is why it's important to check before you go for a private diagnosis.
The signs doctors look for when diagnosing ADHD
“Somebody who has ADHD might have symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, or might have some combination of those symptoms,” says Susan Samuels, MD, psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine.
Doctors often mistake ADHD symptoms in adults for mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions with overlapping symptoms. For adults, hyperactivity can be turned inward.
The most effective way to determine whether a person has ADHD is a well-conducted interview with the individual (and, if possible, with one or two people who know that person well) by a medical or mental health clinician who is familiar with ADHD and with the other medical or psychological disorders that produce ...
Also remember, GP's are not qualified to assess for ADHD, all they need to see from you is a valid reason for them to request a referral to an adult ADHD specialist and a list of the symptoms should do that.
Though it varies, a typical assessment for ADHD in children or adults may last around one to three hours. Every practitioner conducts the assessment in their own way, but you can expect an in-person interview covering topics such as development, health, family, and lifestyle history.
GPs are able to prescribe stimulant medication providing the diagnosis has been made by a specialist.
ADHD may be covered by the NDIS if you meet the eligibility and disability requirements. In addition to general criteria such as age, you must be able to prove that you have a disability causing an impairment that: Is permanent or likely to be permanent.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must currently have several symptoms which must have started before the age of 12, and difficulties must be present in two or more settings (such as at home and at work). Symptoms that arise later in life are unlikely to be ADHD and should be assessed immediately.
Some psychologists can diagnose ADHD; however, initial medication is only prescribed by a psychiatrist or a paediatrician in Australia when medication has stabilised; in some circumstances, ongoing management conducted by another medical practitioner.
ADHD: a disabling condition
It is recognized as a disability under the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act.