ADHD Evaluation

 Step 1: Referral and Triage

– Referral Requirement (essential): All patients must obtain a General Practitioner (GP) referral to one of our Psychiatrists – Dr Philip Muller or Dr Lee Williams

– Triage Review: Our team reviews your referral to determine if we can meet your needs. If not, we will guide you back to your GP, who will have been provided with the appropriate information regarding your care. Why do we need to review your GP referral? We want to make sure we’re the right clinic for you. Our Psychiatrists specialise in a small area of mental health (4% of the population). They are not able to treat all mental health problems individuals can experience.

– Initial Contact: If suitable, we will contact you, send a Mental Health Questionnaire, and gather more information to better understand your needs.

 Step 2: Pre-Assessment Preparation

– Mental Health Questionnaire: Your detailed responses help us assess if we can provide the necessary care. Again, if your clinical needs fall outside our Psychiatrists’ scope of practice, we will let you or your GP know (depending on who contacted us). Don’t worry. Other mental health clinics will have the resources to provide your care – and Psychiatrists specialising in various areas.

– Scheduling Stage I: If we can provide your care, we will schedule your initial appointment, marking the start of your ADHD evaluation.

 Step 3: Initial Assessment – Stage I of ADHD Evaluation

– First Appointment: A 35- to 45-minute session focusing on your challenges, your symptoms’ impact on daily life, previous treatments (if any), potential medical issues, family background, and developmental history (childhood and adolescence).

– Comfort and Privacy: Our approach is warm and sensitive, ensuring your confidentiality and creating a sense of ease. Our clinic’s reception and waiting area are inviting, and our consultation rooms are comfortable and private.

 Step 4: Comprehensive Information Gathering – Stage II of ADHD Evaluation

Between visits…

– Self-Rated and External Assessments: Essential for confirming childhood symptoms of ADHD.

• • You will complete an ADHD Self-Assessment in your own time.
  • A relative, doctor, friend, or associate who knew you before you were 18 will complete an ADHD Diagnostic Tool or provide other information – to help us confirm childhood ADHD symptoms.
  • Primary and High School reports are also helpful.

– Urine Drug Screen: Required to proceed with further evaluations – as per Queensland Health psychostimulant (ADHD medication) prescribing guidelines.

– Treating Psychiatrist Review of Available Information: Your Treating Psychiatrist will examine all the additional (collateral) information you’ve given us. We will then call you to arrange your second visit to our clinic.

 Step 5: Diagnosis Confirmation and Treatment Initiation – Stage III of ADHD Evaluation

– Second Visit: You will see a second Psychiatrist to confirm your ADHD diagnosis. This includes a second opinion interview, comprehensive screening for other mental health conditions, and the validation of your ADHD diagnosis.

– Starting Treatment: Our Psychiatrists collaborate immediately after your second opinion to develop a targeted management plan. You will then return to your Treating Psychiatrist. Treatment almost always begins on the same day as your second opinion assessment. The second visit marks a ‘new beginning’ for most patients.

Monitoring Progress and Ongoing Support

– Follow-up: Regular appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed, with discussions focused on improving important areas of your life.

– Ongoing Support: Our clinic offers Psychotherapy (talking therapy), ADHD Coaching, or behavioural strategies to enhance your quality of life and well-being.

Long-Term Engagement / Continuity of Care

– A Positive Journey: Treatment is tailored to improve everyday functioning and enhance personal relationships, ability at work, or ability to complete their university studies. All of this should occur without the sheer effort our patients have put into their day-to-day lives before coming under our care. Our treatment is often an upward journey toward better self-management for our patients.

Lastly, at Ascent Psychiatry, we want to help ensure that the people we care for get to live lives that they find interesting, not too challenging – and that they get to do the things they love most and more often.