With ADHD having been chronically undiagnosed in Ireland for decades, a lot of adults who have been struggling are starting to realize this might be part of the reason why. The most common question I am asked is:
How do I get assessed for ADHD in Ireland?
For most people the first step will be a conversation with your GP. It’s a good idea to fill out and bring the screening form below with you, to help you explain why you feel you may have ADHD.
You might be unlucky and find the first GP you talk to isn’t interested in talking about ADHD, but usually what will happen is your GP will discuss possible referral pathways in your local area with you, and they might want to do some tests to rule out physiological causes for your difficulties.
If your GP does not have any referral pathways available to them, you can ask for a referral letter that isn’t addressed to anyone in specific, which will be helpful for the next step: contacting private professionals or organizations that provide ADHD assessment.
Private assessment in Ireland at the moment generally costs between €1,000 and €2,000, usually paid in stages. There are usually long waiting lists to be assessed privately and people often use this time to save up.
What types of ADHD assessment are there?
You can opt for a psychiatric assessment or a psychological one. The main difference is that psychologists in Ireland can’t currently prescribe medication, so if you would like to try medication this should be taken into account. Many people report they find psychological assessments for ADHD to be more extensive and enlightening, so if your goal is personal development and understanding, this may be important to consider.
Both forms of diagnosis legally entitle you to reasonable accommodations at work and at school.
Can I access ADHD therapy or ADHD coaching without a diagnosis?
Yes. ADHD therapists know that assessment is very difficult to access and that therapy can still be helpful for those with self-identified ADHD.
Rebecca Bourke 
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