ADHD diagnosis as an adult

Wendy Singer, a psychologist at Supported Minds Psychology, says that for people who are diagnosed with ADHD as adults, the experience can be a transformative one.

“If you have ADHD, your brain’s executive functioning works differently,” Wendy says. “You may find it difficult to hold information in your mind while completing another task, or you may show signs of disinhibition, such as unintentionally saying whatever comes to mind, among other things.”

So, what are the other symptoms of ADHD, and what should you do if you think you or a loved one has the disorder?

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition that affects around 1 in 20 Australians^[1].

There are three subtypes of ADHD. These present with:

• Inattentive symptoms. For example, experiencing forgetfulness during the day, frequently losing your keys or your phone, missing steps in instructions, and difficulty in sustaining attention when sitting in a meeting or watching a movie.
• Hyperactivity/ impulsivity symptoms. While symptoms for this type of ADHD typically show up as physical behaviours in children, in adults, it can manifest as a sense of internal restlessness. You may be always looking for the next thing to do, jumping between conversation topics while speaking, or cutting others off when they are talking.
  
• Combined inattentive and hyperactivity symptoms. When symptoms from both of the other two subtypes are present.
  

In most cases, it is an inherited disorder and diagnosis has been more common in boys than girls, at a ratio of about 4:1.

“We believe the under-diagnosis in girls is because females are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD,” Wendy says. “The symptoms are less obvious to carers, so sometimes the disorder is not picked up.” Because of this, it may be more common for females to be diagnosed as an adult.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

ADHD diagnosis is provided by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.

The assessment involves filling out some questionnaires before an appointment, and then the initial assessment can occur. During the assessment, the practitioner will talk with you about behaviours and things you might be concerned about, and you may be asked to bring along old school reports or workplace reviews that might indicate a pattern of behaviour.

Wendy says that many adults who suspect they have ADHD may already be undergoing psychological treatment. This is because ADHD has common comorbidities of anxiety, depression and learning difficulties.

“People may find that the treatment they are undergoing for anxiety, for example, isn’t working,” Wendy says. “This can be an indicator that there may be something else at play, and if it is ADHD, then we need to treat the condition in a different way. Quite a few people will also come to us because they have had a family member who has been diagnosed with ADHD, and they recognise some of the same symptoms in themselves.”

For a diagnosis of ADHD to be made, five or more of the symptoms within a subtype must be confirmed.

Treatment options

If you do receive a diagnosis for ADHD you can work with your medical professional to understand how it affects your life and what changes you can make.

“Having a diagnosis of ADHD can allow people to better understand how their brain works,” Wendy says. “Once you have an understanding, you can learn new techniques to avoid procrastination and delaying, and also discover new ways to problem solve.”

For some people, medication can be very effective at relieving the symptoms of ADHD. This must be prescribed by a psychiatrist. For others, therapy and mental health exercises, such as mindfulness can help.

“For those diagnosed with the disorder, it can be empowering to understand why they have been struggling, sometimes their whole lives, and to then be able to make accommodations for themselves,” Wendy says. “Our understanding of neurodiversity is improving, but we still have a long way to go. It can be difficult to manage in a neurotypical world if you are neurodiverse, but it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your brain, it’s just a different brain style.”

If you think you may have symptoms of ADHD, the first place to start is making an appointment with your GP, who may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.

Additional resources and support

The ADHD Foundation provides national leadership and delivery of community support and services in Australia. Their ADHD Up To Date service provides information, referrals to ADHD-specific medical practitioners, and other support services. As waiting lists can be problematic for adult diagnosis, this group can help find a practitioner who is available sooner. Contact the ADHD National Helpline at support@adhdfoundation.org.au or call 1300 39 39 19 for assistance.

ADHD Support Australia provides online resources and support for everything ADHD related.

ADDitude is an international resource delivering expert advice and media for parents and adults living with ADHD.

[1] https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/about-adhd