Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects your:
- attention
- learning
- impulse control
- activity levels and
- your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 2016 that approximately 6.1 million children in the United States suffered from ADHD (that’s almost 9.4% of the population, or 2 in 20 children). The data also shows that boys are more likely to be diagnosed than girls (12.9% compared to 5.6%). In Australia, It’s estimated one in 20 children in Australia have ADHD.
Types of ADHD:
Importantly with ADHD, there are three different presentations:
1. hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD
2. inattentive presentation of ADHD, referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
3. combined hyperactive, impulsive and attentive presentation of ADHD (both of the above combined)
Hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD
✔ high levels of fidgeting ✔ feeling restless ✔ being on the move or feeling as driven by motor running ✔ climbing at inappropriate times (mainly for children) ✔ talking excessively ✔ blurting out answers ✔ trouble waiting for ones turn ✔ frequently interrupting or behaving in an intrusive manner with others
Inattentive presentation of ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
✔ frequent and careless errors ✔ overlooking details in school work or in work-related environments ✔ difficulties sustaining attentional tasks especially non-preferred tasks ✔ failing to complete tasks or work ✔ difficulty organising or planning different work tasks or home life tasks ✔ becoming easily distracted ✔ being forgetful in daily activities ✔ frequently losing important or necessary items or belongings ✔ avoiding tasks that we require a sustained mental effort ✔ often a kind of a general feeling of overwhelm and exhaustion.
If you notice these signs and symptoms in yourself or in others, it is important to seek help and learn how to manage the ADHD/ ADD symptoms.
Being able to manage these symptoms can lead to improved relationships and the ability to solve problems more effectively. There are also other physical and emotional health benefits, as the body’s response to ADHD / ADD is similar to that of being under high stress levels, with increased heart rate, muscular tension, and the inability to concentrate clearly.
Where to start if you think you have Adult ADHD / ADD:
To have a formal diagnosis of Adult ADHD / ADD, you need a multidisciplinary approach. This includes your GP, Psychologist and or Psychiatrist. We have outlined below the process we have put in place for our clients to make it as simple, affordable and effective as possible.
Step 1: Screener Appointment with one of our Psychologists (optional)
To book in for an Adult ADHD / ADD Screener appointment, simply contact our team by completing a contact form on this page of our website. In this appointment, a member of our Psychology Team will screen to help determine whether going ahead with a formal assessment is advisable. This appointment is 50 minutes in duration and costs $220 (no rebates available with our team for this service). This is a really good place to start exploring formal diagnosis.
How to explore or get a Formal Diagnosis of ADHD / ADD
As mentioned above, to have a formal diagnosis of Adult ADHD / ADD, you need a multidisciplinary approach. This includes your GP, Psychologist and or Psychiatrist. If your screener appointment, determines that formal diagnosis is required, then we guide you through the next steps and how to navigate them.
The next appropriate step is to to involve your GP and a Psychiatrist, for which we provide you with a referral letter including the results from your screener appointment with us. This also allows for your Psychiatrist to refer you back to us should you require Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Program or an ADHD Coach as part of your treatment plan.
Step 2: Connect with your GP
If your screener appointment determines that a formal diagnosis is required, we will recommend that you contact your GP to access a referral. You can take your referral letter to your GP appointment, which we provide. We always recommend that you connect with your GP if you have any health-related concerns. We like to work with an external psychiatric team for all ADHD/ ADD Assessments for two reasons:
a) if you are formally diagnosed with ADHD/ ADD and decide to access medication as part of your Treatment Plan, then you will need to be assessed by a psychiatrist who, in turn, prescribes the appropriate medication suited to your presentation. We also like to keep costs down for our clients and avoid duplication, as not all psychiatrists accept psychologist diagnoses, and they prefer to do their own formal assessment. If you are only seeking or choosing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as your Treatment Plan, then a diagnosis with a Psychologist is sufficient.
b) currently in Australia, psychology rebates are not available to support formal diagnosis of ADHD/ ADD in clients. A a referral from a GP to a Psychiatrist will allow you to access Medicare rebate of approximately $444.90 after your diagnostic appointment.
Step 3: Medical History, pre-assessment, comprehensive assessment and treatment plan
If your screener appointment indicates that you have symptoms of ADHD, then after you see your GP for a referral, you will attend a clinical interview appointment with a recommended Psychiatrist. We tend to refer to a small number of Telehealth Psychiatrists across Australia, each of whom works differently due to the different legislation in different states. Mostly, the process involves two appointments, as follows:
Appointment 1: Medical history and pre-assessment consultation (45-minute video call) with the intake team at the psychiatrist’s practice, usually a mental health nurse
Appointment 2: A psychiatrist provides a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan (45-minute video call), which is then returned to your GP.
Step 4: GP Appointment to enact your Treatment Plan
Psychiatrists do not prescribe medication for ADHD /ADD. If you are subsequently diagnosed with ADHD/ ADD, your comprehensive treatment plan guides your referring GP to prescribe and manage any recommended medication. You are responsible for ensuring that your GP will enact your treatment plan (which includes initiating the recommended medication) and provide the necessary follow-up care, including access to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Programs and/or an ADHD / ADD Coach.
Step 5: ADHD/ ADD Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Programs and or ADHD Coach
If your treatment plan recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or access to an ADHD Coach, we will be back in the picture.
We help you make sense of your diagnosis and have designed self-paced educational CBT programs to support you with your diagnosis, including the following areas:
- CBT for Adult ADHD Emotional Regulation
- CBT for Adult ADHD Executive Function
- CBT for Adult ADHD Goal Setting
- CBT for Adult ADHD Time Management
- CBT for Adult ADHD Better Sleep
- CBT for Adult ADHD Fit and Focused
- CBT for Adult ADHD Mastering Parenthood
Our Psychology Team has carefully created these programs so that adults with or without a formal diagnosis of ADHD / ADD can easily access, understand, and make sense of what they need in their lives. This will help them make the changes to improve performance and success in their daily lives.
Fees
Our psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). While rebates are not available for ADHD related services delivered by our psychologists, rebates are available when you access a psychiatrist.
Step 1: ‘Screener’ Questionnaire Consultation – $220, 50 mins, no rebates
– to determine whether going ahead with a formal assessment is advisable.
Step 2: Connect with your GP
You will need to consider your regular GP fees for a consultation and whether they allow bulk billing.
Step 3: ADHD/ ADD Assessment with a Psychiatrist for medical history, pre-assessment, comprehensive assessment and treatment plan
With the psychiatric teams that we refer to, this service is usually split over two appointments (45 minutes each), usually approx $1400 (with an 8.5% discount applied if paid in full upfront, reducing your payment to $1280, and in almost all cases, you will receive a $444.90 rebate from Medicare after Appointment 2). Therefore, your out-of-pocket expense could equate to $835.10 if you access this option. NOTE: The private fee must be paid in full before you secure a booking for your appointment. Medicare rebates apply for the psychiatry services (Appointment 2) only.
Sometimes, clients or their GPs like to see a specific psychiatrist, or maybe they are already seeing one, and we recommend that you seek clarification of their costs, services, and process before engagement.
Step 4: GP Appointment to enact your Treatment Plan
Your psychiatrist will send your comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to your GP. You will need to attend your GP for this appointment, and again, you will need to consider your usual GP fees and whether they allow for bulk billing.
Step 5: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or ADHD Coach
If your comprehensive treatment plan includes recommendations for accessing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Programs of an ADHD Coach, you have the option to purchase a 12-month access to our self-paced online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programs, which cost $249 + GST each; or you can access them all at once for $850 + GST. Please send us a message if you wish to access our CBT Programs.
How do I get started?
Simply fill out the online inquiry form on this page, and one of our Clinicians will contact you within 24 hours to help you with your inquiry.
How do I pay for my 'screener' session at Brain Training Australia?
Payment is required at the end of your ‘screener’ appointment with us; your attending psychologist will process the fees on our end based on your credit card details, which you provided and consented to at intake.
When you visit the GP and psychiatrist, you are dealing with them directly as they are external to us, and you are responsible for any fees payable to them.
We recognise the unique qualities of all our clients and will work closely with you to support so that you can achieve your goals of optimal mental processes.
We are ready to help clients work through their challenges. We look forward to helping you live a much richer, happier, healthier life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in adults?
General practitioners (GPs) and other front-line health providers may have helpful information and experience in identifying ADHD symptoms. However, to have a formal diagnosis of Adult ADHD you need a multidisciplinary approach. This includes your GP, Psychologist and or Psychiatrist.
Diagnosis of ADHD on its own is generally not covered under the NDIS. The reason for this is that it may be hard for someone with ADHD to meet the NDIS eligibility criteria as a severe and permanent disability. If you have ADHD and are likely to overcome the issue you are seeking financial help for, or are being successfully treated with medications, then you are unlikely to be eligible for NDIS.
ADHD does not appear on the list of disabilities supported by the NDIS, which means that unless there is another disability which could be a primary disability, the ADHD cannot be considered by the NDIS.
However, supports that may be considered for funding by NDIS relate to capacity building that assist with social skills, being active in the community, self-management and communication. Some positive behavioural support and assistance with daily routines and household task. Some cognitive therapy treatments may be supported by NDIS.
We recommend that you contact ADHD Foundation Headquarters to access their ADHD Fact Sheet for clarification about your own individual situation support@adhdfoundation.org.au
What are the three main symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD, combined type. This, the most common type of ADHD, is characterised by impulsive and hyperactive behaviours, inattention, and distractibility.
ADHD, impulsive/hyperactive type. This, the least common type of ADHD, is characterised by impulsive and hyperactive behaviours without inattention and distractibility.
ADHD, inattentive and distractible type. This type of ADHD is characterised predominately by inattention and distractibility without hyperactivity.
How much does an Adult ADHD Diagnosis cost?
Depending on the provider of the service that you attend, in Australia, the cost of an Adult ADHD Assessment can be anywhere from $900-$2,000. However, we have created a process for our clients to access affordable, effective and comprehensive Adult ADHD Assessments in Australia.
With the psychiatric teams that we refer to, this service is usually split over two appointments (45 minutes each), usually approx $1400 (with an 8.5% discount applied if paid in full upfront, reducing your payment to $1280, and in almost all cases, you will receive a $444.90 rebate from Medicare after Appointment 2). Therefore, your out-of-pocket expense for an Adult ADHD Assessment could equate to $835.10 if you access this option. NOTE: The private fee must be paid in full before you secure a booking for your appointment. Medicare rebates apply for the psychiatry services (Appointment 2) only.
Sometimes, clients or their GPs like to see a specific psychiatrist, or maybe they are already seeing one, and we recommend that you seek clarification of their costs, services, and process before engagement.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide rebates for psychologists conducting diagnostic assessments for ADHD/ ADD.
But in fact, autism and ADHD often coincide. An estimated 30 to 80 percent of children with autism also meet the criteria for ADHD and, conversely, 20 to 50 percent of children with ADHD for autism.
– Rusting, R., 2018,Decoding the overlap between autism and ADHD, available on https://doi.org/10.53053/KCZY8213
A learning disability makes it difficult to acquire specific skills such as reading skills or math skills. By contrast, ADHD impacts more global skills and executive functions like the ability to focus, the ability to control emotions, and the ability to control impulsive behaviour.
A popular misconception is that all children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are naturally smarter and have a higher IQ than children without ADHD. However, there is no correlation between this condition and intelligence.
What is the coping mechanism for ADHD adults?
Set a regular time and place for sorting boring things like bills. Please put it in your diary/schedule and stick to it. Break big tasks down into manageable steps, ensure they’re realistic, and give yourself deadlines.
What does untreated ADHD look like in adults?
Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. 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.
Estimates suggest that about 4% to 12% of children have ADHD. Boys are 2 to 3 times more likely to have ADHD of the hyperactive or combined type than girls.
Many parents of children with ADHD experienced symptoms of ADHD when they were younger. ADHD is commonly found in brothers and sisters within the same family. Most families seek help when their child’s symptoms interfere with learning and adjustment to school expectations and age-appropriate activities.
What are the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
The following are the most common symptoms of ADHD. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:
Inattention:
Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention)
Difficulty listening to others
Difficulty attending to details
Easily distracted
Forgetfulness
Poor organisational skills for age
Poor study skills for age
Impulsivity:
Often interrupts others
Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn in school and/or social games
Tends to blurt out answers instead of waiting to be called upon
Takes frequent risks, and often without thinking before acting
Hyperactivity:
Seems to be in constant motion; runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion
Has difficulty remaining in his/her seat even when it is expected
Fidgets with hands or squirms when in his or her seat; fidgeting excessively
Talks excessively
Has difficulty engaging in quiet activities
Loses or forgets things repeatedly and often
Inability to stay on task; shifts from one task to another without bringing any to completion
The symptoms of ADHD may resemble other medical conditions or behaviour problems. Therefore, your psychologist will assess for these during clinical interview and diagnosis often requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Is ADHD inherited from mother or father?
You can inherit genes that boost risk for ADHD from your mother, from your father or from both parents. In a recent Norwegian study, inherited risk was somewhat higher when a child’s mother had ADHD compared to their father, but researchers weren’t certain why that would be.
Does ADHD get worse with age?
ADHD is a developmental disorder that’s typically diagnosed during childhood. While the symptoms of ADHD may change with age, this condition often persists into adulthood. Rather than intensifying with age, ADHD tends to improve, especially with ongoing treatment and management.
Is ADHD a form of autism?
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
What foods make ADHD worse?
Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions to include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges. If you suspect a food sensitivity may contribute to your ADHD symptoms, talk to your ADHD dietitian or doctor about trying an elimination diet.
Caffeine doesn’t target ADHD symptoms as effectively as proven prescriptions. And caffeine plus medication “can result in dangerously acute jitteriness or out-of-control impulsivity,” according to CHADD, a national resource for children and adults with ADHD.
- Sugar. Eating sugary foods can cause blood glucose spikes and crashes, affecting energy levels. …
- Other simple carbohydrates. Sugar is a simple — or refined —carbohydrate. …
- Caffeine. …
- Artificial additives. …
- Allergens.
The NDIS may cover ADHD 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.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).
Although anxiety and ADHD may occur together, ADHD is not an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, anxiety can occur independently of ADHD. Other times, it can be as a result of living with ADHD. A person who has ADHD and misses a work deadline or forgets to study for an important exam can become stressed and worried.
Do adults with ADHD sleep a lot?
Many people with ADHD experience daytime sleepiness and difficulty waking up due to poor sleep. Others experience restless, non-refreshing sleep with multiple nighttime.
What are the top 5 foods to help Adults with ADHD?
Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products — can help support ADHD symptoms. The body uses protein-rich foods to make neurotransmitters, the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with each other.
What personality type do people with ADHD have?
A recent review of findings on ADHD and FFM personality suggests that, in general, ADHD has associations with the FFM traits of Neuroticism (positive), Agreeableness (negative) and Conscientiousness (negative).
What do adults with ADHD struggle with most?
Adults with ADHD may find it challenging to focus and prioritise, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience in waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
Most common triggers of ADHD: stress, poor sleep, certain foods (milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges) and additives.
The entire process can take approximately four weeks from start to finish, depending on your Psychologist’s availability and how soon you can secure an appointment. This includes an initial screener, clinical interview, client assessments, sibling/ parent/partner assessments, assessment and reporting and feedback interview.
What does ADHD burnout feel like?
The symptoms of ADHD and burnout can be very similar. People with ADHD may experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating and feeling overwhelmed. People experiencing burnout may also feel fatigued, stressed, and overwhelmed. There may also be physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, or feeling tense.
Stimming can take many different forms: visual: staring off into space, drawing, spinning things like pens or coins. verbal/auditory: repeating sounds, excessive giggling, constantly clearing throat. tactile: rubbing fingers, chewing/biting nails, chewing the inside of cheeks.
What is the most effective treatment for ADHD in adults?
Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training and psychological counselling. A combination of these is often the most effective treatment. These treatments can help manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they don’t cure it.
How do I get started?
Simply fill out the online inquiry form on this page, and one of our Clinicians will contact you within 24 hours to help you get started with your Adult ADHD screener appointment.
