Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that presents in childhood and often continues into adulthood. Not all people with ADHD have the same symptoms, and there are three major subtypes:
ADHD symptoms typically peak in childhood and ease as individuals age. However, some adults may continue to struggle with certain symptoms. For example, hyperactivity is more common in young people, but with age, many individuals find hyperactivity decreases and is replaced by restlessness. Some people see a resurgence of symptoms as adults during times of stress or change, for example, during the menopause or when overwhelmed at work.
It isn’t uncommon for people to experience symptoms of ADHD throughout their lives, such as difficulty concentrating or impulsiveness. However, not everyone who experiences these symptoms has ADHD. If you are experiencing ADHD-type symptoms that are causing ongoing problems in your life, this may indicate an ADHD assessment is necessary.
Some of the common ADHD symptoms are listed below. These may help you identify when to consider seeking an ADHD assessment with an ADHD psychologist in Perth.
It is important to remember there is considerable overlap between the symptoms for ADHD and many other psychological or physiological conditions. For example, difficulty concentrating may be due to other life stresses, mental health conditions, or simply sleep issues. Hyperactivity is also difficult to identify, especially in children who usually have a lot of energy.
We always recommend seeing a doctor or experienced ADHD psychologist if the symptoms are persistent over a long period of time, or they have a significant impact in your daily life. If you or your child exhibits these symptoms frequently and you have concerns, our ADHD psychologist in Perth can conduct an assessment and deliver a diagnosis if applicable.
It’s important to remember that being diagnosed with ADHD is not something to fear. While the condition can be difficult to manage, especially for parents, a lot of help is available. We’ll discuss treatment methods later, but an accurate diagnosis is crucial to getting the right type of support.
An ADHD assessment involves a number of components. When you visit an ADHD psychologist in Perth, you can expect an interview with the assessing psychologist, questionnaires, and cognitive assessments. ADHD psychologists in Perth principally rely on the clinical observation of behaviour as there is no specific medical test for ADHD. For children, an ADHD assessment will also include discussion with primary caregivers and may include input from other professionals, such as teachers.
There is a specific criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, with the key points highlighted below:
ADHD is an individual condition, no two people experience it in the same way. This means treatment approaches need to be tailored for each person. Our experienced ADHD psychologists in Perth are able to offer a unique, person-centred approach for our clients.
Most commonly, ADHD is managed with stimulant medication by a psychiatrist. While medication can be highly effective for many clients, it poses significant limitations and issues that must be considered. Ideally, a combined treatment approach with the support of an experienced ADHD psychologist is the best option. Treatments options for ADHD include:
Medications must be managed by a qualified psychiatrist. Most medications positively affect symptoms, such as improving concentration and reducing hyperactivity, but there may be side effects, too.
It is important to note that before you can access medications from a psychiatrist, you must receive an ADHD diagnosis. Typically, this requires a diagnosis from a psychologist. Psychiatrists may also conduct their own additional assessments.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for ADHD is slightly different. Where behavioural therapy helps improve behaviours, cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on changing an individual’s thought patterns to be more realistic and supportive.
While spontaneous thoughts are a part of everyone’s life, adults with ADHD are significantly more likely to be affected by comorbid anxiety and depression. An ADHD psychologist helps clients explore why specific thoughts and emotions occur, and how to deal with them more effectively. This helps individuals address self-criticism, cognitive dysfunction and difficult emotions sometimes associated with ADHD.
An ADHD psychologist in Perth has a number of treatment methods available for ADHD. Whether you choose to use medication or not, there are still psychological therapies you can access to assist your child, yourself, and your family. Let’s look at some of the treatments possible.
Neurofeedback is an emerging and drug-free approach to ADHD treatment. Initially, practitioners identify specific parts of the brain which are not functioning at an optimal level. Once identified, neurofeedback, as a specialised form of biofeedback, retrains the client’s brain to produce optimal frequencies for daily functioning.
Behavioural therapy is focused on helping individuals learn to manage ADHD symptoms. The goal of behavioural therapy is to replace negative, or unhelpful behaviours, with positive ones. This happens through a process of building skills and understanding which allows an individual to develop strategies to manage ADHD symptoms. The ultimate aim of behavioural therapy is to see behavioural change, such as a stronger capability to organise and complete tasks or the ability to better handle emotional situations.
For young children, behavioural therapy teaches parents constructive ways to respond to unhelpful ADHD behaviours. Behavioural therapy also teaches parents how to develop routines and structure the home environment to minimise the impact of ADHD on their child’s functioning.
ADHD psychologist in Perth provides more than psychological treatments. Another important ADHD intervention is education. After a diagnosis, parents and children can be unaware of how to best manage their ADHD symptoms. ADHD Psychologists are able to provide education on ways to optimise their thoughts and surroundings.
ADHD counselling is completely tailored to individual circumstances. ADHD psychologists learn about their client’s daily life and offer real strategies to promote optimal function.
Even if you or your child is taking ADHD medication, they can still benefit greatly from psychological coaching. Our experienced team always takes a holistic approach to treatment, helping you understand the options available.
When you need psychological treatment for any condition, finding a practitioner that is experienced in managing your condition is essential. Psychologists often focus on treatmenting specific conditions, and you deserve someone who has expertise in your particular concerns.
It is also important to find a psychologist that you can feel comfortable with. We aim to create a warm, welcoming environment. Of course, we recognise that not everyone is a good fit together, and we are committed to helping you find a psychologist who matches your needs and personality.
Our ADHD psychologists in Perth are dedicated to supporting individuals who are struggling with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With senior psychologists who have lived experiences of ADHD, we are able to offer a unique, integrated model of support and treatment. This includes ADHD assessment, behavioural therapy to develop strategies for living with ADHD, psychological therapy, and neurofeedback. We may also recommend a client to seek medication from a psychiatrist.
Our psychologists strive to equip individuals and their families with tools and coping mechanisms to improve attention, regulate impulsivity, and enhance executive functioning skills. Through our integrated model of support we are proud to help clients with ADHD lead more focused and fulfilling lives.
A psychiatrist is a specialised type of medical doctor. A psychiatrist is an expert in mental health and can prescribe medication when required to treat a mental health condition, like ADHD.
A psychologist cannot prescribe medications as they are not medical doctors. However, psychologists are still university-trained mental health professionals, and many psychiatrists refer clients to psychologists for psychological therapy to complement medication treatment for ADHD. Mindstate Psychology works collaboratively with many psychiatrists across Perth.
A range of symptoms may warrant an assessment with an ADHD psychologist. The two main symptom categories are inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Both groups have a number of symptoms to look out for, such as difficulty concentrating, problems organising and completing tasks, feeling restless and impulsive behaviours.
If your symptoms are impacting your daily life, we would strongly suggest booking an appointment with one of our experienced ADHD psychologists, or discussing your concerns with a doctor.
Adults can certainly benefit from ADHD treatment. While ADHD can only be diagnosed if symptoms are present before the age of 12, many adults are being diagnosed later in life. Some people have experienced ADHD symptoms for years without a formal diagnosis, and treatment options are available for people of all ages.
ADHD is a very individual condition and everybody exhibits a different set and severity of symptoms. Some people may see improvement quickly by pursuing a multi-faceted approach of medication and psychology, but it ultimately depends on the patient’s unique presentation and how they respond to treatment(s).
Currently, ADHD assessments are not covered by Medicare. You can, however, speak to your GP about a Mental Health Care Plan that provides up to 10 treatment sessions for conditions including ADHD.
Most common treatments for ADHD are recognised by medicare, and available for Medicare rebate. To receive Medicare rebates you must have a referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician, or a Mental Healthcare Plan from a GP. More information about fees and rebates for psychological therapy.
Please note that Neurofeedback is not yet recognised by Medicare, and as such there are no rebates available. More information about fees for neurofeedback.
Mindstate Psychology does not provide emergency mental health services.
If you're worried about harm toward yourself or others, or you are otherwise experiencing an emergency, please call 000.
