Diagnosing ADHD

ADHD is not an easy disorder to diagnose, so the diagnosis should only be made by a specialist psychiatrist, or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with the right training and expertise.

This is because there are other conditions which are very similar to ADHD that have to be ruled out and because ADHD often occurs alongside other conditions.

The diagnosis is based on:

• A full clinical and psychosocial assessment
• A full developmental and psychiatric history
• Reports from observers (such as from a place of work) and an assessment of an individual’s mental state

More advice can also be found in the section Treatment and Expectations.