Seeking: ADHD diagnosis
Seeking an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be difficult because of many reasons, one of them being the overwhelming amount of information available. This could explain why one of our inbox's most frequently asked questions is, "What happens during an ADHD assessment with Dr Matt?". Contrary to what people may think, it's not going in for an hour of consultation and coming out with a diagnosis. Like everything in life, it's a process.
But first, let's talk about how Dr Matt is qualified to do his work.
Dr Matt Harvey has undertaken advanced mental health skills training through his Australian Society for Psychological Medicine membership. He is a full member of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), the Australian Adult ADHD Interest Group (AAADHDIG), and the RACGP Mental Health and ADHD/ASD/Neurodiversity special interest groups.
In short, Dr Matt is an accredited provider of focused psychological therapies, making him one of the leading ADHD GPs in Brisbane.
The assessment begins here
The patient arrives at their appointment, and with Dr Matt's help, they paint a comprehensive picture of the patient's life story with ADHD: their relationships, academic or professional life, and family dynamics. Dr Matt attentively listens and takes notes. He then guides the patient through the necessary steps, including blood tests and an ECG, to ensure a thorough assessment for any co-existing or underlying conditions. A review appointment is arranged for the patient in three weeks.
During the second appointment, Dr Harvey reviews the test results with the patient and constructs a management plan. A referral with a compilation of the symptoms is sent to a psychiatrist, where the patient makes their next appointment.
The number of visits to the psychiatrist depends on the patient's complexity and the psychiatrist's methods. Usually, it's one or two sessions. The psychiatrist finalises a report generally within 2 weeks and shares it with Dr Matt. The patient comes in to review the report with Dr Matt and discuss the results and management of their diagnoses.
A review appointment will be arranged for the patient in three weeks to see how they're going with their chosen treatment path, including medication.
And that’s it! An ADHD diagnosis in five appointments (or less).
It sounds easy, but in reality, this process involves a lot of waiting. Waiting for results, waiting for a psychiatrist appointment, waiting for the final report. Whoever said "patience is a virtue" was not an undiagnosed neurodivergent in waiting mode.
If you have read this far and you still have questions or want to know when the next available appointment is, the contact details are on the bottom of the page.