ADHD Diagnosis and Management: A Comprehensive Approach at Brain and Mind Hub
Written by Dr Megan Dutton
As a clinician and researcher in the field of neuroscience and mental health, I’ve seen how a precise, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD can transform lives. At Brain and Mind Hub, we’ve developed a neuroscience-informed model that integrates clinical accuracy with holistic care—ensuring individuals with ADHD receive not only a correct diagnosis but also the tools to thrive.
Adult ADHD: A Distinct Clinical Presentation
ADHD is not confined to childhood. Longitudinal studies confirm that ADHD persists into adulthood in approximately 60–70% of cases, though its presentation evolves:
- In childhood: overt hyperactivity, impulsivity and academic disruption.
- In adulthood: internal restlessness, executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation and chronic difficulties with organisation, time management, and self-regulation.
Adults often present with comorbidities such as anxiety, depression or sleep disorders, which can obscure diagnosis. This underscores the importance of a nuanced, developmentally informed assessment process.
Clarifying the Diagnostic Pathway: Who Can Diagnose ADHD?
It is important to dispel a common misconception: while psychologists contribute significantly to assessment and support, they are not qualified to formally diagnose ADHD. In Australia, currently only psychiatrists and paediatricians are authorised to make an official diagnosis. At Brain and Mind Hub, all diagnoses are made by a qualified psychiatrist, ensuring clinical rigor, adherence to best-practice standards and a straightforward process.
It is important to acknowledge that changes in ADHD diagnosis are currently underway across Australia. Each state is in the process of implementing, or planning to implement, GP training and accreditation programs that will expand the ability of GPs to diagnose and prescribe ADHD treatment—aiming to improve access and reduce wait times. This is a model Brain and Mind Hub also intends to adopt, ensuring we continue to offer accessible, high-quality ADHD care in line with evolving national standards.
Our Multimodal Diagnostic Protocol
Our diagnostic process is both scientifically robust and deeply person-centred. It includes:
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
A structured clinical interview conducted by a psychiatrist, incorporating DSM-5 criteria, developmental history and differential diagnosis. This means you can receive a formal diagnosis is received in just one appointment.
Quantitative EEG (qEEG) Brain Mapping
Following the psychiatric assessment, we conduct a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) – a non-invasive, real-time measure of brainwave activity.
EEG provides objective data on cortical arousal, attention regulation and neural connectivity patterns often associated with ADHD. While not diagnostic in isolation, qEEG enhances clinical insight and supports individualised treatment planning.
Psychological Integration Session
A session with a psychologist to help the individual process the diagnosis, explore its implications, and begin the journey of adaptation and self-understanding.
Medical Safety Screening
For individuals considering pharmacological treatment, we conduct a medical check-up to assess cardiovascular and metabolic health, ensuring that psychostimulants can be prescribed safely.
The Neurobiology of Lifestyle Medicine in ADHD
Our approach is grounded in lifestyle psychiatry, which recognises that brain function is profoundly influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors. From a neurobiological perspective, interventions targeting sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and stress regulation can significantly enhance cognitive and emotional functioning in individuals with ADHD.
Sleep: Sleep deprivation impairs prefrontal cortex activity, exacerbating inattention and impulsivity. We support clients in establishing circadian-aligned sleep routines.
Nutrition: Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, micronutrients, and low-glycemic carbohydrates support neurotransmitter synthesis and reduce neuroinflammation.
Exercise: Aerobic activity increases dopamine and norepinephrine availability—neurotransmitters central to attention and motivation.
Stress Management: Chronic stress dysregulates the HPA axis and impairs executive function. We teach evidence-based techniques such as mindfulness and breathwork to restore neurophysiological balance.
This neuroscience-driven lifestyle medicine model not only complements pharmacological treatment but also empowers individuals to take an active role in their cognitive health and is available to those seeking comprehensive ADHD treatment.
Beyond Diagnosis: A Continuum of Care
We offer a suite of interventions designed to support individuals across the lifespan:
- ADHD Coaching and Executive Function Training: Personalised strategies to improve planning, prioritisation and self-regulation.
- Peer Support Program: Sessions that foster connection, reduce stigma and promote shared learning.
- Adult ADHD Group Program: A peer-led supportive group where your experiences are valued and your strengths are recognised and celebrated.
ADHD is a complex, lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that demands a nuanced, multidisciplinary approach. At Brain and Mind Hub, we combine the rigour of clinical psychiatry with the innovation of neuroscience and compassionate holistic care. Whether you are seeking clarity, support, or transformation, we are here to guide you, scientifically, ethically and wholeheartedly.
References
Adamou, M., Fullen, T., & Jones, S. L. (2020). EEG for Diagnosis of Adult ADHD: A Systematic Review With Narrative Analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 871. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00871 [1]
Asherson, P., Buitelaar, J., Faraone, S. V., & Rohde, L. A. (2016). Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Key conceptual issues. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(6), 568–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30032-3 [1]
Cortese, S., Adamo, N., Del Giovane, C., et al. (2018). Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), 727–738. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4 [1]
Döpfner, M., Hautmann, C., Görtz-Dorten, A., Klasen, F., & Ravens-Sieberer, U. (2015). Long-term course of ADHD symptoms from childhood to early adulthood in a community sample. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 24(6), 665–673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0610-1 [1]
Faraone, S. V., Biederman, J., & Mick, E. (2006). The age-dependent decline of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analysis of follow-up studies. Psychological Medicine, 36(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329170500471X [1]
Lopresti, A. L. (2021). A review of lifestyle and psychosocial factors associated with ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents: Practical recommendations for clinical management. Nutritional Neuroscience, 24(5), 306–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2019.1673410 [1]
16 June 2025
““Brain & Mind Hub is leading the way with our use of MRI-guided neuronavigation combined with an intensive protocol that delivers treatment faster and with greater precision. Through our three-tiered treatment model – Standard, Accelerated and Intensive – we’re able to achieve results in just days to weeks, rather than months.” explains BaMH Director and CEO, Dr Jim Lagopoulos.
Image based on artwork featured on The Australian by Frank Ling
BaMH’s new TMS protocols featured in The Australian
Brain & Mind Hub’s new accelerated TMS protocols have been featured in a recent article by Steve Robson, published in The Australian, discussing the treatment’s potential for those suffering from PTSD.
As Australians pause in remembrance of our veterans during ANZAC Day, the on-going effects of service on the mental health and wellbeing of our military personnel is an important aspect of the conversation.
The impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on veterans and their loved ones is discussed in a recently published article ‘Encouraging signs achieved by PTSD treatment using the tech that’s on your fridge door’, featuring BaMH Director and CEO Jim Lagopoulos and Board member Professor Max Burnett who outline the evidence for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for PTSD and how the new protocols offered at BaMH present a significant advancement in the options available to support those suffering from PTSD.
If you or a loved one is seeking support, get in touch with our team to discuss how we may be able to assist.
You can read the full article via the link below (subscription required).
23 April 2025
Published as:
Encouraging signs achieved by PTSD treatment using the tech that’s on your fridge door
You will be redirected to The Australian website.
This article is behind a paywall and requires a subscription to view.
Seasons greetings from BaMH!
Clinic close dates over Christmas and New Year, and what’s happening in 2025.
As the holiday season approaches, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for trusting us to support you on your healthcare journey.
Since opening our doors in late June, we are proud to have been able to bring neuroscience-informed mental healthcare and precision diagnostics to our Sunshine Coast communities, and we look forward to expanding the range of ways we can support you in 2025.
We appreciate that the Christmas and New Year period can be difficult for many people, and we encourage you to get in touch if you are struggling. While our clinic will briefly close over this period (dates below), there are a number of organisations that can provide support during this time. This list can be found at the bottom of this email, and the bottom of each page on our website.
We also encourage you to get in touch with our team if you would like to discuss options for support that will be available over the holiday period, and to make appointments to reconnect in the new year.
Introducing our new ADHD Peer Support Group
To further support our clients, we’re making a new support option available before Christmas. Our ADHD Skills and Support Group Program is a weekly program for adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD and are seeking support and to develop skills that can help to manage life with the condition. There’s no commitment required – just join whenever you are able!
- When: Each Thursday, commencing 12th December. No groups between 20th Dec and 6th January. Recommencing Thurs 9th January.
- Time: 11am – 12pm
- Where: BaMH Sunshine Coast
Clinic close dates
Please note that our clinic will be closed over the Christmas/New Year break from 4pm on Friday, December 20th 2024. We will reopen on Monday, January 6th 2025.
Where to find support over the holidays
If you are having an emergency, dial 000.
If you are feeling distressed or need support over the holiday period, the below services are available 24 hours a day.
Lifeline
- Ph: 13 11 14
- 24/7 phone and online chat
Beyond Blue
- Ph: 1300 22 4636
- 24/7 support service for counselling. Phone, text and online chat
13YARN (13 92 76)
- Mental Health for First Nations and Indigenous Australians
1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255)
- Support, advice and referral, mental health emergency
Suicide callback service
- Ph: 1300 659 467
- 24/7 counselling to people affected by suicide and online chat
What’s coming in 2025
We’re excited to expand our service offerings in 2025 to provide additional pathways of care and support.
Some of the initiatives planned for next year include:
- New group programs, including Lifestyle Medicine and Eating Disorder recovery
- Expanding our Brain Stimulation Clinic to offer new approaches for treatment-resistant depression, post-stroke recovery, and autism
- New staff members will be joining us to help provide greater levels of support and service availability
If we can assist you with anything prior to the holiday break, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
From all of us here at Brain & Mind Hub Sunshine Coast, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright, fulfilling New Year.
Childhood stress, trauma and synapse loss
A new book release from Professor (Emeritus) Maxwell Bennett AO, Chair of TBMH Board of Directors, shows how our children are in jeopardy of growing up with mental illness and the consequences of this for their adult lives.
Max Bennett is an internationally-recognised expert in the field of neuroscience, having authored over 300 papers concerned with research on synaptic connections between nerve cells in the brain, and has written 14 books on synapses as well as on the philosophy of mind and brain.
His new book begins with the story of a child growing up in Australia, and this narrative forms the backbone of the book. Through subsequent chapters, the story of his development reveals to the reader just how much the environment we grow up in as children determines our capacity to enjoy life as we mature.
“I wrote this book in order to show how our children are in jeopardy of growing up with mental illness and the consequences of this for their adult lives. This can also help parents to understand and appreciate the extent of their responsibilities for the future happiness of their children.”
Prof Bennett’s extensive experience and credentials in this field include tenure as President of the Australian Neuroscience Society as well as of the International Society for Autonomic Neuroscience, the leading world group for the study of the nervous system associated with our emotional life.
Over the past 20 years he has driven the initiation and establishment of Institutes and foundations devoted to achieving the best outcomes in mental health for the Australian community. These include the Brain & Mind Research Institute (now Centre) at Sydney University as well as the Mind & Neuroscience Thompson Institute (now Thompson Institute) at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
He has brought synergy to the areas of brain and mind research and between disciplines in psychiatry, neurology and neuroscience, ensuring that they are embedded in outreach programs to the community.
“One of the key takeaways I hope to impart with this book is underscoring the extent to which our organisations, TBMH and BaMH, are equipped with the knowledge and methodology to ameliorate mental illness of both children and adults.”
Our team of mental health specialists is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of excellence in mental healthcare and implementing the latest research and understanding into our approaches to deliver world-leading care for those who seek support.
Professor Max Bennett
