ADHD as an Adult
Hey there!
Get comfortable, grab your favourite sensory tool and settle into this fortnight’s blog post. Last fortnight we spoke about what ADHD is – this fortnight is our follow up blog.
ADHD diagnosis as an adult
As our awareness of what ADHD is develops and grows, many adults are seeking out their own diagnosis. To be clear, these adults have always had ADHD, but with growing awareness, they are now empowered with the knowledge to seek out a diagnosis. I believe awareness is fuelled by a range of factors, including:
Parents supporting their children to receive an ADHD diagnosis, and recognise traits in themselves.
Sharing of experiences during the pandemic! When the world shut down, we took to social media for connection. This allowed individuals to share their experiences, with many adults realising ‘hey.. I do that.. and have always done that..’
However, getting a diagnosis and relevant supports as an adult is difficult… let’s explore why.
Why is it hard to get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult?
Diagnosis of ADHD relies on appropriately educated and informed allied health and medical practitioners. If an individual is interested in exploring a medication pathway, they need to engage with a Psychiatrist. This is where things can get tricky, here’s why:
Planning and organisation can be difficult if you have ADHD. Organising a GP referral to see allied health practitioners and Psychiatrists; navigating waitlists; completing forms and sending them back in a timely manner; and remembering appointments can be really difficult to stay on top of.
Diagnosing practitioners may ask to speak to your family members about what you were like as a child. These family members may not be available, not remember details of your childhood, or have undiagnosed ADHD themselves and not see any concerns with how you managed as a child.
Psychiatrists are responsible for medication management of ADHD. In Australia, there are long waitlists for Psychiatrists (if they have their books open), and there are significant out of pocket expenses to see them. This has a greater impact on marginalised and vulnerable populations.
There is a lack of appropriately trained allied health and medical professionals with awareness of ADHD. The assessment and management of ADHD is a special interest area for many professionals, however there are not enough professionals with this skill set and knowledge to meet the demand of the community.
Seeking an ADHD diagnosis
If an adult chooses to explore an ADHD diagnosis, the following can be helpful:
Talk with your GP about your experiences and what supports you hope to access. They will have an awareness of referral options available in your area.
Check out business websites and biographies to explore the health professional’s training and understanding of ADHD.
There are support groups on social media who may have an awareness of affirming health professionals with capacity. Try searching for *Your city/town* ADHD supports and see if there are active groups.
If you’re interested in education and supports around ADHD, check out my social media channels on Instagram and Facebook. You can also subscribe to receive info in your inbox below!
Your friend in neurodivergence,
Kristy