Diagnosis Process For Women

Photo by Aria Ipe

Finally getting a diagnosis can feel like a weight being lifted off your shoulders, an explanation for why you’ve struggled more than those around you. However, the process doesn’t look the same for everyone.

When I sought help from my doctor, he recommended a psychological assessment.

According to the Adult ADHD Centre, psychological/psychoeducational assessment is a type of assessment that can rule out overlapping conditions such as anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities. It’s typically conducted by a psychologist and usually takes weeks. 

However, it’s a lengthy and costly process, often exceeding $2,000, an expense many university students, including myself, can’t easily afford. 

An alternative, more cost-effective option is the ADHD medical assessment. The Adult ADHD Centre explains that This method focuses specifically on ADHD symptoms, assessing how frequently they occur and their impact on daily life.

It’s quicker and more affordable, often covered by public health insurance, and can be done by a physician, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner.

Additionally, it allows you to receive medication and typically doesn’t come with the long wait times that psychoeducational assessments have.

A lot of people go this route, especially if they're just looking for treatment rather than needing a formal report for things like school accommodations.

So, is one better than the other? While the psychological/psychoeducational assessment offers a deeper look into cognitive and emotional functioning, the ADHD medical assessment is often a suitable option for individuals seeking a diagnosis, as stated by the Adult ADHD Centre.

The choice between these two options can depend on your needs, budget, and time constraints. Both are recognized as effective methods by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Since a psychoeducational assessment wasn’t an option for me, I did some research and found a clinic that offered psychological assessments. However, they were equally expensive and would take several weeks to complete.

At this point, I was exhausted and felt like I would never find a solution to a lifelong struggle. Desperate for some help, I decided to begin ADHD-focused counselling, even before receiving an official diagnosis.

It was through my therapist that I discovered the ADHD Medical Assessment, an option I hadn’t realized was available, which allowed me to get the support I needed much sooner than I had planned.

For Natalie Goyarzu, a fourth-year university student, the process started with uncertainty. She opted to do the full psychological assessment because she wasn’t sure what she was being evaluated for. While she had a hunch it could be ADHD, she suspected anxiety was more likely.

Thelacsana Rajaganapathy, a third-year university student, also had a long and complicated experience. After struggling in university, she sought out an online ADHD medical assessment, where she was diagnosed and referred to therapy. But therapy alone didn’t feel like enough.

“I was really stressed and pissed off at the fact I'm working so hard and I'm not seeing the same results other people are seeing,” says Rajaganapathy.

Feeling that this approach wasn’t working, she consulted a psychologist for a second diagnosis. She was then told she needed to be evaluated by a psychiatrist in order to get prescribed medication.

Still searching for the right support, she turned to a school psychiatrist, who provided her third diagnosis and became her primary provider for ADHD treatment. “She’s the one I’ve been seeing regularly every month or so. We’ve been sorting out my medication,” says Rajaganapathy.

Image via The Center For ADHD

Melissa Gummeson, a registered psychotherapist who specializes in ADHD in adult women, shared that many of her patients were not initially seeking help for ADHD. “Commonly, what I see is that women will come in to seek support with anxiety, self-esteem, or depression, not even knowing that they have ADHD."

That commonality was evident in Goyarzu, Rajaganapathy, and me. We all initially suspected, or in my case were diagnosed with, anxiety and depression before even considering ADHD.

Each person’s path to an ADHD diagnosis is different, shaped by individual circumstances and resources. Whether opting for a psychological assessment or an ADHD medical assessment, seeking help and understanding your symptoms can be the first step toward clarity.