ADHD
A difference in brain development that makes attention, restlessness and impulses harder to manage. It starts in childhood, often lasts into adulthood, and responds well to treatment. Here’s what helps and what it costs.
Go deeper: ADHD in children · ADHD in adults
The ADHD ladder
Treatment works best as a mix: skills and supports, plus medicine for many people. For children under 6, parent training comes first.
- Step 1 · Self-careRoutines, sleep and movementOutsource your memory: alarms, one calendar, lists, and big tasks chopped into small steps.
- Works
- Not tested well in trials; makes daily life easier but doesn’t treat core symptoms alone
- Cost
- Free to cheap
- How long
- Ongoing. It’s a system, not a one-off fix
- Watch for
- Downloading 14 planner apps and opening none of them
One calendar you actually check beats five beautiful planners.
- Step 2 · Allied healthParent and carer trainingPractical courses on routines, praise and handling tricky moments.
- Works
- Moderate improvement in behaviour in trials, mostly on parent reports. First choice for children under 6
- Cost
- Some programs are free; a private psychologist is about $200–300 a session, with Medicare rebates on a GP mental health plan
- How long
- Usually 8–12 weekly sessions
- Watch for
- Skipping the practice between sessions. It’s a toolkit, not a judgement on your parenting
Less parenting school, more cheat codes for the hard bits.
- Step 3 · PrescriptionStimulant medicine (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine or dexamfetamine)The first-choice medicine for children over 6, teenagers and adults.
- Works
- About 7 in 10 respond well to the first one tried; about 9 in 10 if both types are tried
- Cost
- $25 per script on the PBS if you meet the criteria ($7.70 concession). Some types are only PBS for adults if ADHD was diagnosed (or clearly started) in childhood; otherwise about $50–150 a month privately
- How long
- Works within an hour of a dose; the dose is fine-tuned over a few weeks
- Watch for
- Poor appetite, trouble sleeping, faster pulse, higher blood pressure. Regular checks of blood pressure, pulse and weight (and growth in children)
One of the best-studied medicines around. Still not something to share with your housemate.
- Step 4 · PrescriptionNon-stimulant medicine (atomoxetine or guanfacine)For when stimulants don’t work, don’t suit you or aren’t safe for you.
- Works
- About half respond well; on average roughly two-thirds as effective as stimulants
- Cost
- $25 on the PBS, mainly for people diagnosed as children or teens; otherwise about $60–150 a month privately
- How long
- Taken every day; 4–12 weeks to work fully
- Watch for
- Atomoxetine: nausea, tiredness, rarely mood changes (watch young people closely). Guanfacine: sleepiness, low blood pressure; don’t stop it suddenly
The slow-burn option: no on–off switch, just a steady background.
- Step 5 · Allied healthCBT and ADHD coachingSkills for planning, time management and handling emotions, for teenagers and adults.
- Works
- CBT: moderate benefit in trials, especially alongside medicine. Coaching has little research behind it
- Cost
- Psychologist about $200–300 a session, with Medicare rebates on a GP mental health plan
- How long
- Usually 8–12 sessions
- Watch for
- Coaching is unregulated, so check training and qualifications
Medicine helps you start. Skills help you finish.
- Step 6 · SpecialistPaediatrician or psychiatristFor diagnosis, complex cases, or when anxiety, depression, autism or sleep problems are in the mix.
- Works
- Not a treatment trial question: gets the diagnosis right and treats the whole picture
- Cost
- Assessment about $500–1,500, sometimes more, with partial Medicare rebates
- How long
- Waits can be months
- Watch for
- Long waiting lists. In NSW, trained GPs can now continue treatment, and from late October 2026 some can diagnose and start it too
Join the waitlist now. Future you will be grateful.
Save your money
Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.
- Neurofeedback and brain-training appsLittle or no benefit when tested fairly, and often pricey. They mostly make you better at the app.
- Fish oil and “focus” supplementsAny effect in trials is tiny at best. Not recommended as treatment.
- Elimination dietsNot recommended as routine treatment. Talk to your GP before cutting foods out of a child’s diet.
- Banning sugarBlinded trials show sugar doesn’t cause hyperactivity. The party is the stimulant, not the cake.
- Brain scans or gene tests to “diagnose” ADHDNot validated for diagnosis. ADHD is diagnosed by a careful history, not a picture.
What you can do
- Eat breakfast before a stimulant kicks in, and plan a decent dinner when appetite returns.
- Regular sleep and exercise most days. Exercise is the one “supplement” with evidence.
- Ask school, uni or work for reasonable adjustments: extra time, a quiet space, written instructions.
- Store medicine safely and never share it. Stimulants are tightly controlled, and sharing them is illegal.
See your GP if
- Trouble with attention, restlessness or impulses has lasted 6 months or more and affects school, work or relationships
- You also have low mood, anxiety, sleep problems, or use alcohol or drugs to cope
- You have side effects from ADHD medicine, such as weight loss, poor sleep, a racing heart or mood changes
- You’re pregnant or planning to be while on ADHD medicine (don’t stop suddenly; talk it through)
- You need a referral, or your medicine needs review (in NSW, trained GPs can continue treatment, and from late October 2026 some can also start it)
Call 000 for chest pain, fainting, or a racing heart that won’t settle. See a doctor the same day for hallucinations, paranoia or severe agitation on ADHD medicine. If you have thoughts of suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7), or 000 if you are in danger.
Support lines
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call your emergency number. To talk to someone, any time:
- Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7, or text 0477 13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 13YARN 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Emergency: 000.
- Young people in Australia: Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (24/7, ages 5 to 25) or headspace (ages 12 to 25).
- New Zealand: call or text 1737. Emergency: 111.
- UK and Ireland: Samaritans 116 123. Emergency: 999 (or 112).
- US and Canada: call or text 988. Emergency: 911.
- Anywhere else: findahelpline.com lists free helplines in more than 100 countries.
Common questions
How is ADHD diagnosed?
There is no blood test or scan. A paediatrician, psychiatrist or, in some states, a trained GP diagnoses it from a detailed history, usually with input from family or school. Private assessments often cost about $500–1,500.
Can adults have ADHD?
Yes. ADHD starts in childhood and often continues into adulthood, and many people, especially women, aren’t diagnosed until they are adults.
Can a GP prescribe ADHD medication?
It depends on your state. In NSW, trained GPs can continue treatment, and from late October 2026 specially trained GPs can also diagnose and start it. Otherwise, your GP can refer you to a specialist.
What are the side effects of ADHD stimulants?
Common side effects are poor appetite, trouble sleeping and a faster heart rate. Your doctor checks your blood pressure, pulse and weight (and growth in children).
Is ADHD genetic?
Mostly, yes. Twin studies suggest around 70 to 80% of the difference in ADHD traits between people is genetic, and it often runs in families. It isn’t caused by parenting, sugar or screens, although these can affect how symptoms show.
Is ADHD a disability?
It can be. Under Australian anti-discrimination law ADHD can count as a disability, so schools, universities and workplaces should make reasonable adjustments. ADHD on its own usually doesn’t qualify for the NDIS.
Can you have ADHD and autism?
Yes, they often occur together. Roughly 1 in 4 autistic people also have ADHD, and assessment for one should consider the other, because support and treatment differ.
Is there a blood test or scan for ADHD?
No. ADHD is diagnosed by a careful history of symptoms since childhood, how they affect daily life and input from others who know you well. Online quizzes can only suggest whether an assessment is worth having.
Helpful resources
- ADHD AustraliaNational not-for-profit with evidence-based info for families, adults, schools and workplaces, plus an online community. Free.
- CHADDLarge US non-profit with fact sheets, toolkits and support communities for adults and parents. Free information; some paid membership.
Evidence and more information
- AADPA: Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for ADHD (2022)
- NICE: ADHD diagnosis and management (NG87)
- Healthdirect: ADHD
- NSW Health: GP ADHD reforms (2026)
- University of Wollongong: ADHD diagnosis costs in Australia (2026)
- Lancet Psychiatry: Comparing ADHD medicines, network meta-analysis (2018)
maladywise.com/adhd/