Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, activity levels and impulsivity, and it can impact your mental health, work, education and personal relationships. Seeking help for symptoms of ADHD can be life-changing, but it can also be an emotional rollercoaster.
“Initially, the diagnosis threw me for a loop. I was incredibly frustrated because I was left wondering if I’d been diagnosed at 10, 11, 12 or 13, instead of 37 how my schooling, career, life and relationships might have been different,” Adrian says. “It triggered a lot of self-reflection and trying to figure out okay, what in my life has been caused by ADHD and what are just things I’ve done.”
Getting diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Australia isn’t as straightforward as it should be. It can be a lengthy and expensive process but one that’s ultimately worth it.
“I wish I’d pursued an ADHD diagnosis as soon as I suspected because it has helped me understand my life and the way that I am, which makes me feel better about myself too,” says Adrian. “It also means you can start actioning things to improve your life.”
Here’s what you need to know about recognising ADHD as an adult and getting diagnosed in Australia.
What are ADHD symptoms in men?
Symptoms of ADHD can differ from one person to the next depending on their severity and subtype.
ADHD symptoms are categorised into two main types:
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
These types of symptoms include excessive fidgeting, difficulty remaining seated, talking excessively, interrupting others and acting without considering the consequences.
Inattention
Symptoms in this category include struggling with tasks requiring sustained focus, often making careless mistakes, losing items and having difficulty organising activities. Being easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities are other examples.
You can find a more thorough rundown of symptoms here.
Boys and men are more often diagnosed with ADHD than their female counterparts, as they’re likelier to display noticeable symptoms, especially hyperactivity. Males also struggle more with working memory and education, compared to females.
ADHD typically shows up in childhood, with symptoms often becoming noticeable as early as ages three to six. The condition will always be present in childhood (‘adult-onset ADHD’ doesn’t exist) but it might not be recognised until later in life. Symptoms might be put down to other conditions, they might not have impacted day-to-day life much at the time, or there may have been support to manage them. Symptoms might become more obvious during big life changes like moving out of home, starting university or having kids.
Adults can show subtle signs of hyperactivity, like feeling restless and not being able to relax. Impulsivity might look like excessive spending, binge eating, conflict with other people, risk-taking, addiction, interrupting others and talking excessively. Being distractible, slower to present and formulate ideas, or difficulty following conversations might be signs of inattentiveness.
People with ADHD might experience low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and chronic stress. Managing finances can be challenging, symptoms can cause strain on your relationships and meeting work deadlines can be difficult.
Despite these struggles, there are plenty of strengths that come with ADHD; like spontaneity, creativity, energy, inventiveness and resilience. Some adults with ADHD also experience ‘hyperfocus’ on specific activities for many hours when it’s something of interest to them.
How to get an ADHD diagnosis in Australia
A diagnosis of ADHD requires multiple symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity, that:
If this sounds like you, your first step should be booking an appointment with your GP. If you want to access medication to treat ADHD (the most effective treatment available) then you will need to be referred to a psychiatrist experienced in ADHD. You can also be diagnosed by a psychologist and your treatment options will be different.
A psychiatrist or psychologist will ask you about your early development, signs and symptoms you’ve experienced and your mental health history. They will also chat with a parent or partner, or ask you to bring in school reports, for evidence of symptoms reported by teachers.
Getting an appointment with a psychiatrist in Australia can be difficult, with some people waiting up to six months to be seen.
“For many people with ADHD, it’s very difficult to stick with the diagnosis process and put all that effort in, organise appointments, and show up to them. So for me, having that access and availability was really helpful,” Adrian says.
How much does it cost to get diagnosed with ADHD in Australia?
Getting a ADHD diagnosis in Australia can also be expensive. There are no adult public mental health services that can diagnose ADHD without cost. One appointment with a psychiatrist can be anywhere between $400 and $700, with $200 to $400 back on Medicare. Some people require multiple appointments and costs can start to stack up into the thousands.
How to find an ADHD experienced psychiatrist
This tool can help you find a psychiatrist in Australia.
Can you get diagnosed with ADHD online?
Yes. There are some services that offer online assessments, diagnosis and treatment using telehealth. Some of these are psychologists and some are psychiatrists so keep this in mind if you know the kind of treatment you’re after.
What might a diagnosis mean for you?
Finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing but it can also come with mixed emotions. It can validate some of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and help you make sense of things you’ve struggled with. But some people also feel grief, reflecting on how their life may have been different if they’d been diagnosed earlier.
“I was utterly convinced that the psychiatrist was just going to tell me I didn’t have it and that I was just bad at life,” Adrian says. “Even though everything I’d read fit the bill, the narrative I’d had in my head for myself my whole life was that I was just a bit lazy, distracted, and unable to come in and get things done, so the alternative – getting diagnosed – was a bit scary because it meant that I’d need to rewrite my entire history and my sense of self.”
There are many ways that ADHD can be treated, and it can be a confusing process figuring out what’s right for you.
If you think you might have ADHD, speak to your doctor about it as soon as possible.
After you’re diagnosed with ADHD, your GP can provide ongoing management but depending on what state you live in, further appointments with a psychiatrist may be required.
