👩‍⚕️Step 1 - See your GP

Dr Shaw will:

Take a History

• of symptoms suggesting possible ADHD, from childhood to current day.

• of any family history of ADHD.

• of how possible ADHD affects past and current day performance.

• of any heart conditions including family history.

• of glaucoma, including family history.

• of any mental illness, including bipolar, psychosis, including family history.

• of any past or current illicit drug use including cannabis, methamphetamines, cocaine, MDMA.

• any other medical history, including medications taken.

Examine You

• height and weight.

• blood pressure and pulse, cardiac assessment for murmurs and rhythm abnormalities.

Send You for Investigations

• blood tests - FBC, U+E, LFT, thyroid function tests, glucose, lipid profile.

• urine drug screen.

• ECG.

Refer You to an Optometrist

• for an assessment to rule out glaucoma.

All of these investigations and assessments must be completed before stimulant medication can be prescribed, should you be diagnosed with ADHD.

If there are any concerns at all, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist for an opinion, and possibly for further investigations.

For example, if there are concerns regarding any structural heart disease you will be referred to a cardiologist.

If the optometrist detects possible glaucoma, you will be referred to an opthalmologist to rule out a particular type of glaucoma that is incompatible with taking stimulant medication.

Refer You to a Psychiatrist

• In Australia, ADHD must be diagnosed by a specialist (a psychiatrist or paediatrician).

• An initial referral from the GP is followed by a thorough clinical interview with a psychiatrist.

• The assessment uses standardised rating scales and questionnaires.