ADHD Testing

At ZenWaves we offer ADHD testing for individuals aged 12 years or older.

"Young woman completing an ADHD cognitive assessment with a clinician at ZenWaves Clinic, Sydney. They are seated at a table with test cards, focusing on attention and neuropsychological testing."

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder. It is estimated that around 8% of children and 2.5% of adults in Australia may have ADHD.

We are all more aware of ADHD now than we were 10 or 20 years ago. In earlier years, symptoms of ADHD were often dismissed as a child being disruptive or inattentive, and there was no formal diagnosis.  We are seeing more and more adults being diagnosed. Women, who generally have better social skills and are able to mask symptoms better, are especially underdiagnosed.

An additional issue is that ADHD often co-occurs with other mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. In some cases these disorders were diagnosed and the ADHD was not diagnosed. It is no surprise that in these cases treatment is often less effective.

If you have a strong family history of ADHD or suspect that you might have ADHD, you might consider comprehensive ADHD evaluation at ZenWaves.

At ZenWaves, our experienced psychiatrists follow a three-step evaluation. A detailed clinical interview is followed by a computerised test of attention to give us objective evidence of your attention, and a brain map which helps us predict response to medications and the possibility of side effects. Following the assessment, we provide a range of treatment options, both medication and non-medication.

There is solid evidence from medical research that neurofeedback is an effective treatment for ADHD. It can assist with reducing and managing symptoms even when medications are not effective, or cause side effects.

Please note that children’s brains are still developing, and are very different from adult brains. We limit our ADHD testing to adults and children aged 12 or older, where we have the experience to diagnose accurately.

Should you consider ADHD testing?

Do you experience any of the following?

Trouble paying attention

you find it hard to stay focused on tasks at school, work, or home

you’re easily distracted by noises, thoughts, or things happening around you

Difficulty with organisation

you often lose important items like keys, phones, or papers

you have problems with time management, meeting deadlines, or keeping things in order

Impulsivity

You often speak out of turn or interrupt others

You make decisions quickly without considering all the implications

Restlessness

You can’t sit still, but are always moving or fidgeting

You can’t relax properly, but always feel ‘on the go’

Struggling to manage your emotions

You have mood swings, and get frustrated or upset easily

You react to stress and can’t stay calm

Relationship Issues

Family and friends always complain that you don’t listen, or that you forget things

Challenges with work or study

You’re smart and creative, but you don’t perform well

You have trouble completing the boring and repetitive parts of your role

Family history

Others have been diagnosed with ADHD

All of these are good reasons to consider ADHD testing.

Our Evaluation Process

Infographic titled 'Our Evaluation Process' outlining five steps of adult ADHD assessment at ZenWaves Clinic. Step 1: Clinical history with psychiatrist. Step 2: Computerised attention test. Step 3: Brain map (QEEG) analysis. Step 4: Review results and determine intervention. Step 5: Periodic reviews to monitor response to treatment. Includes illustrated icons for each step.

Undiagnosed ADHD might be a contributing cause. You could be dealing with ADHD without coping strategies, support or understanding – and that stress doesn’t help your other condition.

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