Making sense of adult ADHD.
A reviewed guide to adult ADHD: understanding symptoms, assessment, treatment and ongoing care. Chapters with answers from Dr Jaspreet Saini.
Reviewed by Dr Jaspreet Saini.
An ADHD diagnosis can give a name to difficulties that have been present for years. It can also bring new questions about treatment, daily life and finding care. This guide brings those questions together, from understanding what ADHD is to reviewing treatment over time.
Chapter 1
Understanding adult ADHD
Recognition can be a reason to seek an assessment, but it is not a diagnosis. Start with what ADHD means, why it can be missed and what else may explain similar difficulties.
what is ADHD?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
ADHD is defined by a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity that begins in childhood and causes difficulties in more than one area of life. It can affect attention, organisation, starting tasks and managing everyday responsibilities.
For people living with ADHD, difficulties may become more noticeable in adulthood when work, study or home life brings new demands. Doing well at school or having a demanding job does not rule it out. Some adults are diagnosed for the first time in their twenties, thirties or later.
There is no single test that establishes ADHD. Assessment considers childhood and adult experiences, the impact on daily life, and other possible explanations, such as anxiety, poor sleep or burnout.
Can I have ADHD even if I did well at school?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Yes. Doing well at school does not rule out ADHD. For people living with ADHD, intelligence, structure at home and a strong interest in particular subjects can help hide difficulties for years. Good grades do not always show how much effort it took to keep up.
An assessment considers whether difficulties began in childhood, affect more than one part of life and cause difficulties now. School may have felt manageable because deadlines and routines were provided by others. Difficulties can become more noticeable when work, household responsibilities or parenthood bring less external structure.
High achievement can also come with late nights, last-minute effort and exhaustion. These experiences alone do not establish ADHD: anxiety, low mood, poor sleep and burnout can look similar. A careful assessment considers these possibilities and gathers information from more than one source, rather than relying on grades alone.
How do clinicians tell ADHD apart from anxiety, burnout or poor sleep?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Clinicians look at timing and pattern, not just difficulty concentrating. ADHD begins in childhood and causes difficulties across more than one area of life. Anxiety, burnout and poor sleep usually have a clearer beginning and tend to change with circumstances. Anxiety can draw attention towards worry, burnout can drain energy and motivation, and poor sleep can affect focus and memory.
A thorough assessment explores childhood and adult experiences, sleep, mood, physical health, substances and recent life events. School reports or accounts from someone who knew the person in childhood can help. Questionnaires support clinical judgement but do not establish a diagnosis on their own.
These explanations are not mutually exclusive. People living with ADHD can also experience anxiety, burnout or sleep problems. Sometimes several factors contribute, and the picture only becomes clearer over time or after one is treated.
Chapter 2
Before and during an assessment
Knowing what an assessment involves makes it easier to prepare and ask useful questions. The outcome should explain the reasoning and the next steps, whether or not ADHD is diagnosed.
What happens in an adult ADHD assessment?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
An adult ADHD assessment is a structured clinical conversation, usually over more than one appointment, rather than a single test. It explores attention, organisation, restlessness and impulsivity, both now and in childhood, and how these difficulties affect work, study, home life and relationships.
The clinician also asks about sleep, mood, physical health, family history, alcohol and other substances. This helps them consider other explanations and conditions that can occur alongside ADHD. Questionnaires support clinical judgement but do not establish a diagnosis on their own.
School reports and information from someone who knew the person as a child can help, but school reports are not required. Detailed recollections and family accounts can also provide evidence of childhood difficulties.
The assessment should end with a written outcome explaining whether ADHD is diagnosed, what else was considered and the proposed next steps. If the picture is unclear, a specialist opinion may be recommended.
Do I need a referral to see a GP about ADHD?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
No referral is required to see Dr Saini about ADHD, but a referral can be helpful. He accepts referrals from psychiatrist and psychologist colleagues. A referral can bring together diagnostic reports, treatment history and the referring clinician's concerns so he can review the next steps.
An accepted referral does not guarantee medication or replace his clinical assessment. He currently provides diagnostic assessments for adults only, and can initiate, continue or restart ADHD medication for children where appropriate and permitted under NSW rules. For practice-specific booking details, see Rosedale Medical Practice via Find ADHD care.
Does Medicare cover ADHD assessment?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Medicare can contribute towards ADHD assessment costs through rebates for GP or specialist consultations. A rebate does not necessarily cover the full cost of an assessment.
Rebate arrangements can change, so information about Medicare coverage needs to be current.
What if my ADHD assessment says I do not have ADHD?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
An assessment that does not find ADHD should still explain what may be driving the difficulties. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trauma-related difficulties or other conditions can account for similar symptoms. These can also occur alongside ADHD in people living with ADHD.
The written outcome should explain the reasoning, what else was considered and the proposed next steps. Not receiving an ADHD diagnosis does not mean the difficulties are not real, and disappointment is an understandable reaction.
Sometimes the conclusion remains uncertain because information is incomplete or several factors contribute. In those situations, a later review or specialist opinion may be reasonable. The assessment should make that uncertainty clear rather than leave it unexplained.
Chapter 3
Understanding GP care in NSW
Diagnostic assessment and prescribing authority are separate. In NSW, GPs who are not endorsed may still be able to provide a diagnostic assessment for ADHD, but cannot initiate ADHD medication. To continue medication started by a specialist, they must be ADHD Continuation Prescribers. Endorsed GPs can assess, diagnose and start medication within the NSW rules. Other states and territories have different rules.
Can a GP diagnose ADHD?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Yes. In NSW, a GP who has completed the NSW endorsement training can assess and diagnose ADHD. An endorsed GP can also start and adjust ADHD medication within NSW rules. Dr Jaspreet Saini is an endorsed NSW GP.
GPs who are not endorsed cannot diagnose ADHD. An ADHD Continuation Prescriber can continue medication that a specialist has started. For people living with ADHD, a psychiatrist may still be involved when the diagnosis is unclear or care is complex.
These rules are specific to NSW. What a GP can do differs between Australian states and territories.
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in NSW?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Yes. In NSW, a GP who has completed the NSW endorsement training can assess and diagnose ADHD. An endorsed GP can also start and adjust ADHD medication within NSW rules.
GPs who are not endorsed cannot diagnose ADHD. An ADHD Continuation Prescriber can continue medication that a specialist has started. For people living with ADHD, psychiatrists remain important when the diagnosis is unclear, the situation is complex or other conditions need specialist care.
Dr Jaspreet Saini is endorsed for ADHD assessment, diagnosis and treatment in NSW.
my doctor says I can't get ADHD meds from a GP, is that still true in NSW?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Not as a blanket rule. In NSW, a GP who has completed the state’s ADHD endorsement training can assess and diagnose ADHD, start ADHD medication and adjust it within NSW rules. Not every GP has this endorsement.
A GP who is not endorsed must be an ADHD Continuation Prescriber to continue medication that a psychiatrist or paediatrician has started. For people living with ADHD, the distinction is whether the GP can start and adjust treatment or continue a specialist’s treatment plan.
ADHD stimulant medicines remain closely regulated as Schedule 8 medicines. Psychiatrists still have an important role when the diagnosis is unclear, the situation is complex or treatment is not working as expected.
What is an ADHD Continuation Prescriber?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
An ADHD Continuation Prescriber is a GP who can continue ADHD medication after a psychiatrist or paediatrician has made the diagnosis and started treatment. This role supports ongoing care for people living with ADHD in NSW.
This is different from an endorsed ADHD GP, who can assess and diagnose ADHD, start medication and adjust it within NSW rules. A Continuation Prescriber who is not endorsed cannot diagnose ADHD, and medication changes may need specialist input.
Ongoing care includes regular reviews of how treatment is working, alongside checks of blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, appetite and mood.
Chapter 4
Making decisions about treatment
Diagnosis and treatment are separate decisions. Medication may be one part of care, alongside practical strategies, psychological support and attention to general health.
Will I definitely get medication after an ADHD diagnosis?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
No. An ADHD diagnosis does not automatically mean medication will be prescribed. For people living with ADHD, treatment may or may not include medication. That decision is made together with the treating GP, considering whether medication is appropriate.
Treatment can also include practical strategies, psychological support and care for other conditions. If medication is prescribed, regular reviews check whether it is helping, whether side effects are acceptable and whether it remains safe.
What tests are done before starting ADHD medication?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Before medication is considered, an ADHD assessment usually includes a detailed clinical history, questionnaires, and discussion of childhood and current difficulties. It also considers sleep, mood, physical health, current medicines, substance use, and any personal or family history of heart conditions. There is no single test that establishes ADHD.
For people living with ADHD, medication safety checks include blood pressure, heart rate and weight, alongside sleep, appetite and mood. These checks continue during treatment, particularly while the medicine and dose are being adjusted.
The supplied public information does not specify whether blood tests, an ECG or urine testing are routinely required before starting medication.
Is a psychologist report enough to get ADHD medication?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
A psychologist's report can provide useful evidence about ADHD, but it does not on its own authorise a medication script. The prescribing clinician must review the information, assess the person and decide whether medication is appropriate and permitted under NSW rules.
Dr Saini accepts referrals from psychologist and psychiatrist colleagues. He currently offers diagnostic assessments for adults only, and can initiate, continue or restart ADHD medication for children where clinically appropriate. An accepted referral is not a promise of medication.
What support can help with ADHD besides medication?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
For adults living with ADHD, support beyond medication can include practical strategies, psychological support and changes at work or home. Treatment does not have to include medication, and the mix of support is decided together with the GP.
Practical strategies include routines, reminders, visible calendars, breaking tasks into smaller steps and arranging work around energy levels. A psychologist or ADHD coach may help with planning, emotional regulation and habits developed over years of difficulty.
Care also includes attention to sleep, anxiety, low mood and other chronic conditions where present. A GP can coordinate the different parts of care and review how they relate to everyday goals, such as managing tasks at home, work or study.
Chapter 5
The first weeks of treatment
Early reviews give the clinician and the person receiving care a chance to understand what is helping and what needs to change. Everyday goals matter alongside side effects and physical health checks.
How long does it take to find the right ADHD medication dose?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Finding a stable ADHD medication dose can take weeks rather than months, although the timing varies from person to person. The early stage involves careful adjustment based on how the medication is working and any side effects.
Regular reviews are expected during this period. The GP checks whether medication is helping with the goals it was started for, alongside blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, appetite, weight and mood. These reviews guide decisions about the dose and medicine.
What should I keep track of during the first weeks of ADHD treatment?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
During the first weeks of treatment, useful things for people living with ADHD to keep track of include sleep, appetite, mood and any side effects. If medication is part of treatment, notes about missed doses and how it fits into the working day can also inform reviews.
It also helps to track everyday function against a few specific goals, such as arriving at work on time or finishing tasks at home. Reviews consider whether treatment is helping with what it was started for, not just whether concentration feels different.
Early medication reviews are usually more frequent while the medicine and dose are being adjusted. The GP generally checks blood pressure, heart rate and weight, alongside sleep, appetite, mood and daily function.
How often do I need ADHD medication reviews?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
ADHD medication reviews are usually more frequent in the first few months while the medicine and dose are being adjusted. Once treatment is settled, regular reviews continue. There is no single schedule for everyone: the GP sets the timing around the person and stage of treatment.
For people living with ADHD, these reviews check whether medication is helping with the goals it was started for, whether side effects are acceptable and whether treatment remains safe. They usually include blood pressure, heart rate and weight checks, alongside questions about sleep, appetite, mood and daily functioning.
Chapter 6
Finding continuity and ongoing care
Care needs can change over time. These answers cover changing prescribers, gathering records, restarting medication and deciding whether video reviews are suitable.
Can I keep seeing the same GP for my ADHD care?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Yes. Ongoing ADHD care can be provided by the same GP over time. For people living with ADHD, continuity means the GP knows their history and can review treatment alongside changes in work, study, relationships and general health.
In NSW, an endorsed GP can continue and adjust ADHD treatment within the NSW rules. An ADHD Continuation Prescriber can continue treatment started by a specialist, although medication changes may need specialist input. Whether the same GP is available at each review is something to clarify with the practice.
Can my GP take over my ADHD medication from my psychiatrist?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Often, yes. In NSW, an endorsed GP can continue and adjust ADHD medication within NSW rules. A GP who is not endorsed must be an ADHD Continuation Prescriber to continue treatment started by a psychiatrist. Changes to medication may need to go back to the specialist.
For people living with ADHD who are transferring care, the specialist letter and current medication details help the GP understand the diagnosis and treatment history. Ongoing care includes regular reviews of blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, appetite, weight and mood, as well as whether the medication is still helping.
Psychiatrists remain important when the diagnosis is unclear, treatment is not working as expected, or the situation is complex.
My psychiatrist retired. What do I do about my ADHD scripts?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
A psychiatrist retiring does not necessarily mean ongoing ADHD care has to stop. In NSW, an ADHD Continuation Prescriber can continue treatment started by a specialist. An endorsed GP can also continue and adjust treatment within NSW rules. A new specialist is another option for people living with ADHD.
For a transfer of care, the new doctor generally needs records of the diagnosis, treatment history, current medication and recent reviews. These help them understand the existing plan and assess whether ongoing prescribing is appropriate. Medication is not guaranteed, and prescribing remains subject to clinical assessment and NSW rules.
Regular reviews remain part of treatment, including checks on blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, appetite, weight and mood. A psychiatrist may still be needed if the diagnosis is unclear, the situation is complex or treatment is not working as expected.
What records do I need to transfer my ADHD care to a GP?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Useful records include your diagnostic report, letters from your psychiatrist or psychologist, current medication and dose, previous treatment history, and recent scripts and review records. These help the receiving GP understand your diagnosis and care so far.
Dr Saini accepts referrals from psychiatrist and psychologist colleagues. As an endorsed GP, he can review continuation, initiation or restarting medication where appropriate and permitted under NSW rules. An ADHD Continuation Prescriber has a different scope, so the records required depend on the prescriber and treatment pathway. A report or referral does not guarantee a script.
I stopped my ADHD medication. Can I restart it?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Restarting ADHD medication may be possible, but it needs a clinical review rather than simply resuming an old script. The clinician considers your previous diagnosis and treatment, why medication stopped, and any changes in health, other medicines or daily functioning. The previous medicine and dose may not be appropriate now.
Dr Saini can consider restarting ADHD medication for adults and children where clinically appropriate and permitted under NSW rules. His current adult-only assessment scope does not mean children cannot receive medication care. Previous treatment or a referral does not guarantee a script.
Can I have ADHD reviews by telehealth in NSW?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Yes. At Rosedale Medical Practice, many ongoing reviews for people living with ADHD can be by video across NSW after an initial in-person visit at West Pennant Hills, if the GP considers video reviews suitable.
Some in-person reviews are still needed, at intervals set by the prescriber under NSW rules. Review frequency depends on the stage of treatment, with closer follow-up while the dose is being settled. A telehealth review does not guarantee a prescription: the GP must decide whether prescribing is safe and permitted.
Chapter 7
A note on children's medication care
This is an adult ADHD guide. The following answer clarifies the separate question of children's medication care and Dr Saini's current adult-only diagnostic assessment scope.
Can children see a GP for ADHD in NSW?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
Yes. Children can receive ADHD medication care from a GP with the appropriate training and prescribing authority in NSW. An ADHD Continuation Prescriber can continue treatment started by a specialist, while an endorsed GP has a broader prescribing scope within NSW rules.
Dr Saini currently provides diagnostic assessments for adults only. He can initiate, continue or restart ADHD medication for children where clinically appropriate. He accepts referrals from psychiatrist and psychologist colleagues, but a referral or previous diagnosis does not guarantee medication. Practice-specific details are on the Rosedale Medical Practice website, linked from Find ADHD care.
Chapter 8
About this guide and the assistant
The assistant provides information from the site's documents. It is not a consultation with Dr Saini and does not provide personal medical advice.
who are you?
Last reviewed 2026-10-18
This is Dr Jaspreet Saini’s adult ADHD education site. I’m an AI assistant providing information from the site’s documents, rather than Dr Saini himself.
Dr Saini is an endorsed NSW GP who practises at Rosedale Medical Practice in West Pennant Hills. His endorsement allows him to assess, diagnose and treat people living with ADHD within NSW rules.
Guides to take with you
General information, not personal medical advice.
Find ADHD care