Adult ADHD Assessment (16+)

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning. In adults, hyperactivity often becomes internal restlessness, and the main difficulties may be organisation, time management, sustaining attention, emotional regulation and impulsive decisions.

Many adults were not assessed as children — particularly women and people whose difficulties were masked by structure, high ability or compensatory strategies.

You may wish to consider an assessment if long-standing difficulties with attention, organisation, restlessness or impulsivity are causing significant problems at work, in study, relationships or daily life, and you believe they have been present since childhood.

Symptoms are assessed for how persistent, pervasive and impairing they are — everyone experiences some of them occasionally.

Diagnostic criteria require several symptoms to have been present before age 12. Your clinician will ask about your early development and school years, and it helps greatly if a parent, older sibling or someone who knew you as a child can provide information. School reports are useful but not essential.

DIVA-5 is a structured diagnostic interview that works through each symptom criterion for both childhood and adulthood, with real-life examples, and asks about impairment across work, education, relationships, leisure and self-image. It helps the clinician gather evidence systematically; the diagnostic decision is made by the clinician using all available information.

ADHD is only diagnosed when symptoms cause meaningful impairment — for example in employment, education, finances, relationships, driving or self-care — in more than one setting.

Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, sleep disorders, substance use, thyroid problems and autism can all produce overlapping difficulties. Your clinician considers whether these explain your symptoms, coexist with ADHD, or both. Coexisting conditions are common and are included in your report.

The assessment usually lasts 2–3 hours. You receive verbal feedback on the day where possible, a full written report within 10 working days and a 30-minute follow-up call.

If ADHD is diagnosed, options may include psychoeducation, psychological support, workplace adjustments and — where clinically appropriate — a medication assessment followed by titration. If criteria are not met, your report explains alternative explanations and recommended next steps.