Accurate diagnosis is a crucial part of managing ADHD. There is not a single test that can decide if a person has ADHD. You can, however, undergo a diagnostic analysis that will be given by qualified physician or a licensed medical professional that will determine if you have ADHD or otherwise.

The ADHD Centre’s guidelines for diagnosis of ADHD are based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), widely used in clinical practice, research and in the psychological society.

Diagnosis will be based on the number and frequency of the symptoms and how long has it been experienced by the patient. The clinician will also determine if these symptoms are caused by other coexisting disorders or entirely different kind of disorder and how these been affecting the life of the patient.

Intensive Diagnosis

Only a medical doctor (most commonly a psychiatrist) оr another trаіnеd, and ԛuаlіfіеd mеntаl hеаlth professional with specific expertise in Adult ADHD (such as a clinical psychologist) саn diagnose the condition. Onlу mеdісаl рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ саn prescribe mеdісаtіоn. Pѕусhіаtrіѕtѕ, bесаuѕе оf thеіr trаіnіng and еxреrtіѕе in mеntаl hеаlth dіѕоrdеrѕ, аrе the bеѕt ԛuаlіfіеd to рrеѕсrіbе Adult ADHD medication.

There is no physical investigation such as a blood test or brain scan for Adult ADHD. Instead, the diagnosis is made by a specialist clinician according to formal criteria. You have to have a certain number of symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity present since childhood. These symptoms must also be causing impairment in multiple areas of your life, e.g. at work and home, for a diagnosis to be made.

At The ADHD Centre, your diagnosis will be carried out by one of our team of ADHD Specialist Consultant Psychiatrists. You will need to answer standardized questionnaires that will be given before-hand. And you will be asked questions about clinical history, developmental history (symptoms during childhood to adulthood), social and academic experiences, drug and alcohol abuse history, family and other aspects of your life that may help the clinician rule out or diagnose other disorders.

It is also essential for the clinician to conduct an interview of someone with collateral history – a loved one, a friend or a spouse, or someone you have been with since childhood – that my know your daily routines, habits and are familiar with your responses and routinely activities. No matter what stage or age you are in your life, if you have been bothered or you suspect yourself to have ADHD, now is the perfect time to seek for professional and expert diagnosis.

What to Expect

Many adults feel frustration and disappointment towards their condition but do not let this get in the way of having an accurate diagnosis. It is important that you will be honest and transparent about what you have been and still going through in order to help our clinical specialists devise an effective plan for your treatment. Successful treatment can bring profound positive changes in your adult life.

You will be guided and helped throughout the process and you will be provided with the support and freedom of active participation in your ADHD treatment and management plan. The sooner you get diagnosed and start on a treatment plan for Adult ADHD, the better it will be in terms of making positive life changes. It is important to remember that it is never too late to get help for Adult ADHD.