You’ve been diagnosed with ADHD: What should you do next?

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can leave you feeling many emotions – from relief that you finally have answers to sadness for the support that you needed, but didn’t always get. Processing your diagnosis and deciding what to do next can feel overwhelming.

Adelaide-based Clinical Psychologist Emma tells us that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or full of conflicting emotions post-diagnosis. In this bite-sized guide, she shares tips to help you process the news and feel ready to take next steps.  

Take time to process the news and practice self-compassion

You might have been expecting the ADHD diagnosis, but receiving confirmation– in the form of an official diagnosis – can still bring many emotions and questions to surface.

It’s important to remember that all feelings are okay, even if they feel uncomfortable in the moment. Practice self-compassion; be gentle and kind to yourself and give yourself time and space to process the news.

Connect with people who are understanding and supportive

Whether it's loved ones or online support groups, connect with people who are understanding and supportive; people who will be there to listen, talk, learn with you, and cheer you on.

If you feel that loved ones without ADHD can’t fully understand how you’re feeling, or give you the support that you need, it can be helpful to widen your support network. Discover and explore reputable support groups, events, and digital communities. It’s good to ‘test’ a few different groups, events or communities to see which ones align with your personal needs, values, and goals.

To help you get started, you could look at –

• Adelaide Adult ADHD’s list of local ADHD support groups,

• ADHD Foundation Australia’s support group listings.

Note that we have not visited or enquired about each group; we’re unable to vouch for any listing.

Learn – or keep learning - about ADHD

Learning – or continuing to learn – about ADHD is key. You can collect reputable information from a range of sources, including –

• Your psychologist, GP, and other healthcare professionals.

• Local, reputable support groups.

• Organisations, communities, and charities such as ADHD Awareness Month and ADHD Australia.

  
  

Learning and sharing with loved ones who haven’t lived life with ADHD may help them better understand and support you.

Implement recommended strategies

If you completed your ADHD assessment at Activ8 Mind, you would have attended a feedback session and received an assessment report from your psychologist. In it, you would have –

• A formal diagnosis, based on the findings of the assessment.

• Specific strategies to help you with things you are struggling with.

• Further treatment recommendations (if relevant).  

  
  

At Activ8 Mind, the feedback session provides opportunities to go over the report and ask questions. We know that it can be hard to absorb all the information that’s shared, so it’s important to take time to re-read your report.

Take steps to start implementing the strategies. If you have a strong support network, it can be helpful to involve loved ones in this process.

Review additional support or therapeutic intervention recommendations

Your assessment report might also contain recommendations for additional support or therapeutic interventions.

At Activ8 Mind, these recommendations come with guidance on next steps. For example, if seeing a psychologist is recommended, you would also receive information on how you can request a mental health care plan from your GP – this would give you access to Medicare funding.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Navigating a diagnosis and next steps isn’t easy, and living with ADHD can bring unique challenges to your day-to-day life. Involving loved ones and friends in your journey and growing your support network can be highly beneficial.

Sometimes, additional support developing skills or tackling challenges can be helpful. Our mental health social workers and psychologists have a wealth of experience supporting individuals receiving diagnoses and living with ADHD, with Medicare funding available for people with a mental health care plan.

To book an appointment with a mental health social worker or a psychologist, call our office on 8292 5300, email us at info@activ8group.com.au, or see your GP for a mental health care plan and a referral to a Medicare psychologist.

This article shares general tips that could be useful post-diagnosis. Each person is unique, and these tips should not be used in place of personalised advice from your psychologist or GP. If you need specific support strategies, please book an appointment with your GP, a psychologist, or another suitable healthcare professional.