ADULT ADHD DIAGNOSES AND ASSESSMENTS
If you’re wondering if you may have ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, then understanding how it shows up for you is the first step. This understanding will let you learn how to manage and make the most of your traits.
A Beehyve pre-assessment may be the place to start, but it's important to understand the difference between an ADHD assessment and an actual diagnosis. Here, we explain what these processes involve.
If you’d like more help, you’ve come to the right place! Beehyve is here to demystify the ADHD journey and ensure you have access to the care you need.
What is Beehyve’s ADHD Pre-Assessment?
Beehyve’s pre-assessment looks at whether your experiences align with the official criteria for ADHD according to the DSM-5. This is a diagnostic manual used by healthcare professionals.
Beehyve’s pre-assessment can help you decide if you’d like to access care such as coaching. It can also help you choose whether to pursue an official diagnosis. It is particularly useful to:
find validation and understanding of your experience
identify which symptoms may be impacting your life
avoid having ADHD immediately noted on your medical records.
Beehyve’s pre-assessment can help you decide if you’d like to access care such as coaching or counselling. It can also help you consider whether to pursue an official diagnosis. Some GPs and Psychiatrists may accept it as a referral, but you should check with them first.
Our pre-assessment involves an interview with a professional who knows what to look out for when it comes to ADHD. At Beehyve, we have a range of specialists who are experienced in running these pre-assessments.
The interview takes about 1.5 hours, and you can do it online with us from anywhere in New Zealand. Afterwards, our practitioner will write a report that they will share with you following the session. We may also be able to connect you to a private psychiatrist through Beehyve after completing a pre-assessment at an additional cost.
The 2024 total cost for the pre assessment is $225. Depending on the outcome you seek, it may be the most cost-effective approach to addressing any symptoms that are holding you back.
Getting a Diagnosis in Aotearoa
There are currently no regulations about the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in New Zealand. However, Beehyve’s leadership team is working with the government and other agencies to change this.
ADHD shares similar symptoms with other diagnoses. These include Autism/Aspergers/ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), Trauma/PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Bipolar Disorder, BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), anxiety, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Tourettes, and more. A person can experience symptoms of one or more of these.
The pathway to diagnosis for medication involves a process of several steps
An assessment is the process of determining whether a person meets the criteria for one or more diagnostic categories. This may be completed through an interview. Sometimes, you may be asked to provide other information or do a short test. All this helps to outline your history and experience of symptoms.
A diagnosis is the outcome of those assessments, completed by a trained professional.
Treatment Can start at any time. Even before you get a diagnosis, you can work with a coach, therapist, naturopath and more to help you move towards the outcomes you want.
However if you choose medication to help manage symptoms this can only happen post diagnosis. You’ll need to work with a medical professional to find the correct medication and dose that works for your body and this process is called titration. This most likely begins with the psychiatrist (or paediatrician) who diagnosed you. GPs with proficient knowledge of ADHD medication can also help with or complete titration.
Every person's body is different, and what your brain needs is not based on age, gender or size. All bodies react differently so if at first you don’t succeed, try again.
Who can diagnose ADHD in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists and clinical psychologists are recognized by more health care providers as professionals who can complete or oversee the diagnosis of ADHD.
Currently, only a psychiatrist, paediatrician or neurologist can authorise a ‘Special Authority’ so you can access stimulant medication as it is restricted in New Zealand. The Special Authority authorisation is sent to your GP, who can then prescribe the stimulant medication, including brand names such as Concerta, Ritalin, and Rubifen. However, Vyvanse and Dexamfetamine must be specifically named on the Special Authority..
A clinical psychologist can not apply for a special authority or prescribe and manage any medications.
Non-stimulant medication is also available and only requires management by a GP. You don’t need a diagnosis of ADHD for this medication, though many GPs may require this. This type of medication is an option when a person's body does not react well to stimulants or when stimulants are not suitable.
Not all psychiatrists, paediatricians, or clinical psychologists specialise in ADHD and other diagnoses with similar symptoms; it’s important to find someone who focuses on this area before making an appointment and spending money with them.
FINDING THE RIGHT SPECIALISTWhat should you look out for?
Unfortunately, getting a diagnosis can mean long waiting lists and high costs. You may need to wait months for an appointment and the costs are often between $1000 to $4000.
Most people in New Zealand pay to see a psychiatrist privately, and most psychiatrists will require a GP referral. Some accept self-referrals. Depending on the psychiatrist, you may be able to complete a pre-assessment with Beehyve to use as a referral.
Before you commit to the diagnosis process, Beehyve recommends reaching out to several psychiatrists to understand and compare:
wait times
processes such as if a referral from your GP is required; how many appointments they may take; do they do some / all medication titration, or refers titration to a GP; do they ask you for extra extra evidence/collateral; and so on.
an outline of charges including titration charges (If done)
do they provide an invoice for insurance (check your cover with your insurer first).
We have a list of psychiatrists we’ve heard about that you might find helpful.
You may be able to pursue a diagnosis through the public system. Unfortunately, the process is not well supported in many regions. If supported, only the most severely debilitated cases are prioritised. However, it doesn’t hurt to chat to your GP to find out if they know what your region offers.
You can get ongoing care from your GP and Beehyve
If you’d prefer not to work with your GP to support your ADHD, Beehyve can help. Our GPs can meet with you to discuss concerns and potentially write a referral. We may also be able to connect you to a private psychiatrist through our network.
We help by streamlining the process from pre-assessment to diagnosis and then medication management. If you do get a diagnosis, Beehyve can help you manage medication as well.
Beehyve has a range of services that you can access straight away. You can receive therapy, care, and nutrition support without a diagnosis.
WHAT TO EXPECTHow much will it cost?
Psychiatrist Estimation
Psychiatrist fees can start from $650 per session, or more.
Some psychiatrists may complete an assessment and give a diagnosis within the first session. Some may take two sessions.
Some psychiatrists start medication titration, or complete medication titration before passing onto your GP. This price is not normally incl in the price, so find out what their standard protocol is.
Psychiatrists are valuable if you have complex needs, but they can be expensive to see for therapy. We would suggest finding a psychologist, counsellor or coach for support outside medication management unless the psychiatrist offered reduced rates for this kind of support.
When going back for follow-ups with a psychiatrist, you may be charged for 15 or 30-minute slots.
Remember, write down any questions you have, and don’t be afraid to ask them.
Payment Options
If you can't afford to go privately, but feel it's your only option, then some psychiatrists may let you work out a payment plan, to pay off your assessment. Give some a call to see if they will allow you do to this.
If you have health insurance, depending on your plan, it may cover some or all of the costs of an assessment. Check with your health insurer first.
Beehyve understands the journey differently
At Beehyve, we all have our own ADHD stories. We’ve made the journey ourselves, and we understand that each one is unique. Beehyve is a safe space that’s free of judgement.
Adult ADHD was finally medically recognised in 2014. Unfortunately, some adult psychiatrists (both public & private) either don’t believe in adult ADHD or don’t understand its symptoms.
Beehyve combines unique insight with the latest research and practice; we’ve got your back.
We launched Beehyve to meet a demand for support that truly understands the specific needs of adult ADHD and can serve a broad range of those working on their wellbeing. Although our individual focus areas are wide and varied, we all share a non-judgmental understanding of ADHD; that's at the heart of our work.
Together we’re different. And different is great!