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It is important to understand how ADHD is diagnosed for Adults, and why we recommend an assessment by a trained professional rather than self-diagnosis. 

Who can diagnose  ADHD in Canada? 

Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Psychologists can diagnose ADHD in BC. Whether a healthcare provider provides assessments is based on their skills and experience, as it is not something routine covered in their schooling. Of note, psychologists cannot prescribe medication for the treatment of ADHD.

What are the benefits of an assessment? 

It is important to have an assessment for a few reasons. Many other health conditions can have similar symptoms to ADHD. Without an assessment you could be assuming it's ADHD when it's underlying anxiety for example, and the treatment approach would be different.

We need a diagnosis of ADHD to access pharmacological treatments, also known as medications. The reason we conduct assessments instead of relying on self-diagnosis is that other conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms, and any condition that impacts our executive functioning will result in symptoms similar to ADHD, as it is the executive function that is also affected in ADHD. The distinction between ADHD and other disorders lies in the underlying reason for the executive function challenges, and treatments are focused on this cause. You may also need a diagnosis if you are applying for accommodations at school or work as a result of ADHD symptoms.

If your regular provider does not conduct assessments (or if you don't have a regular provider), you have several options. We offer MSP-covered assessments by physicians, but currently, our intake is full. We anticipate starting to accept referrals again in the fall of 2025. If you have provided us with your email, we will send out a notification once we have reopened assessments. Once we are accepting referrals again, you can ask your provider if they feel a referral is appropriate. Our service requires you to have a regular provider who can deliver ongoing care. Other psychiatrists and family doctors also offer referral-based, MSP-covered assessments; your provider may know what is available to you locally. Additionally, private clinics provide NP assessments for a fee, which typically have shorter wait lists (due to cost). Obtaining a referral may be challenging if you lack a provider, but you can try working with a walk-in clinic provider to request one. You can find suggestions for locating a regular healthcare provider here.

What does an assessment involve?

Typically, an assessment for ADHD in adults involves completing several screening questionnaires for ADHD and other mental health conditions (as there is significant overlap in symptoms between all mental health conditions). Afterward, your assessor will meet with you, often over several appointments, to discuss your screening results, but more importantly, to gain context for the symptoms you're experiencing. We aim to understand if you have experienced lifelong symptoms, whether they occur in different areas of your life, and if these symptoms are problematic. Lastly, we often try to differentiate whether your symptoms stem from ADHD or another medical condition, such as a major concussion or a mental health condition, like anxiety. 

Does it matter if I have an "official diagnosis"?

What to do in the meantime?