Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our answers to some of the frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions please email: michaeloharapsychology@gmail.com and we will get back to you asap. Thanks. 

• Can I use the diagnostic letter with the Paediatrician/Psychiatrist? 

• Is this a formal diagnosis of ADHD?

• Can psychologists diagnose ADHD? 

• Can I get diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult? 

• Is your child struggling with ADHD?

• As an Adult are you struggling with ADHD?

Can I use the diagnostic letter with the Paediatrician/Psychiatrist? 

Yes, the letter you receive at the end of the assessment can be taken to your Paediatrician/Psychiatrist to discuss/explore treatment options (including medication if applicable). 

Is this a formal diagnosis of ADHD?

Yes, the letter you receive at the end of the assessment will include a formal diagnosis (if applicable) and can be taken to your Paediatrician/Psychiatrist.

Can psychologists diagnose ADHD? 

Yes, a psychologist, paediatrician or psychiatrist are the only practitioners qualified to formally diagnose ADHD.

https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/adhd-in-adults#:~:text=You%20might%20benefit%20from%20referral,based%20on%20best%20available%20research

Can I get diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult? 

Yes it is never too late to seek a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and any other mental health condition that may occur with it. Effective treatment can make day-to-day life easier for many adults and their families.

Is your child struggling with ADHD?

Signs of ADHD in children

ADHD primarily causes symptoms related to inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination of both. With ADHD, someone may experience difficulties paying attention and staying organised, excess fidgeting or restlessness, and trouble with self-control or impulsive behaviours.

In children or this can lead to symptoms  at home, in day care, or at school, such as:

• trouble focusing on activities and becoming easily distracted

• low attention span while playing or doing schoolwork

• fidgeting, squirming, or otherwise having trouble sitting still

• constantly needing movement or frequently running around

• engaging in activities loudly or disruptively

• excess talking and interrupting other people

Symptoms of ADHD in teenagers

As children with ADHD get older, the symptoms they experience may change. In some cases, certain symptoms seen in childhood may become less problematic in adolescence, while new symptoms can arise amidst the changing responsibilities that accompany growing older.

In adolescents with ADHD, other symptoms can include:

• difficulty focusing on schoolwork or other work

• frequently making mistakes while doing work

• trouble finishing tasks, especially schoolwork or chores

• trouble with task organisation and time management

• frequently forgetting things or losing personal items

• frequently avoiding mentally taxing tasks

• experiencing increased frustration and emotional sensitivity

• trouble navigating social and familial relationships

• increased conflict with parents due to ADHD symptoms affecting the home life

It’s important to understand that while these symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can sometimes cause adolescents and teenagers with this condition to appear “immature,” they are simply a part of ADHD and have nothing to do with a child’s maturity level.

As an Adult are you struggling with ADHD?

Have you always felt something was not quite right? Maybe no-one listened to you when you were a child. Are you struggling with work or relationships?

An adult with ADHD may have issues with organisational skills. This can include problems keeping track of tasks and trouble logically prioritising them.

Adults with ADHD can often have trouble in relationships, whether they’re professional, romantic or platonic.

As an adult with ADHD, you may feel like your internal motor won’t shut off.

Your yearning to keep moving and doing things can lead to frustration when you can’t do something immediately. This leads to restlessness, which can lead to frustration and anxiety.

Adults with ADHD are often hypercritical of themselves, which can lead to a negative self-image.