Key points
- ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood, and many adults are first recognised later in life.
- Assessment looks at your history across childhood and adulthood, not just how you feel this week.
- A GP visit is a practical first step. Bring examples, school reports if you have them, and a list of questions.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often thought of as a childhood condition, yet many people are not recognised until adulthood. Some adults only start to wonder about ADHD when their child is assessed, when work or study becomes harder to manage, or after years of feeling that they have to work twice as hard to keep up.
Common signs of ADHD in adults
ADHD affects attention, activity levels and impulse control. In adults it can look quite different from the stereotype of a restless child. Signs that people often describe include:
- Difficulty starting, organising or finishing tasks, especially ones that feel boring or have no clear deadline.
- Losing track of time, appointments, keys, phones or paperwork.
- Being easily distracted, or switching between tasks without finishing them.
- Restlessness, fidgeting or a feeling of being constantly on the go.
- Acting or speaking before thinking, interrupting, or making quick decisions you later regret.
- Intense focus on things that interest you, while everyday tasks pile up.
- Strong emotional reactions, frustration or feeling overwhelmed.
Everyone experiences some of these from time to time. For ADHD to be considered, the patterns usually began in childhood, show up in more than one area of life, such as work, study, relationships or home, and cause real difficulty.
Why ADHD can be missed until adulthood
Many adults developed ways to cope that hid their difficulties. Some did well at school but found that strategies stopped working when life became more demanding. Others, particularly girls and women, showed the quieter, inattentive type of ADHD, which is easier to overlook. ADHD also commonly occurs alongside anxiety, depression, sleep problems and learning differences, which can make the picture harder to see.
How adult ADHD assessment works
There is no single blood test or scan for ADHD. An assessment is a careful clinical process that usually includes:
- A detailed conversation about your current difficulties and how they affect daily life.
- Your history from childhood. School reports, or input from a parent or someone who knew you when you were young, can be very helpful.
- Standardised questionnaires, sometimes completed by you and by someone who knows you well.
- Checking for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, thyroid problems or the effects of substances.
Assessment and management in Australia follow evidence-based clinical guidance. Depending on your situation, more than one appointment is usually needed, and your GP may involve other health professionals, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Support after an assessment
If ADHD is diagnosed, management is tailored to the person. It can include education about ADHD, practical strategies, psychological support, coaching, workplace or study adjustments and, for some people, medicine. Your doctor will talk through the options, including their benefits and risks, so you can decide together what suits you.
What does it cost?
At Aberdeen Surgery, ADHD assessment and management is a private service, so a fee applies. Reception will give you the cost before you book. If other health professionals are involved, they set their own fees, and some may be eligible for Medicare rebates.
How to start the conversation
Book a longer appointment and tell reception the visit is about a possible ADHD assessment. Before you come, it helps to write down examples of the difficulties you notice, when they started and how they affect you. Bring any old school reports you can find, and a list of medicines you take.
If you are feeling very distressed, or having thoughts of harming yourself, please do not wait for an appointment. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time, or 000 in an emergency.
