Adult ADHD & Late Diagnosis in Charlestown: Assessment, Executive Function & Trauma — with Laura Nolan, Clinical Psychologist

Adult in therapy session with a psychologist taking notes

ADHD does not end in childhood. Many adults reach diagnosis later in life—often after years of feeling “overwhelmed,” “disorganised,” or frustrated by inconsistent focus and follow‑through. ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that starts in childhood and commonly persists into adulthood.^1,2 Australian and UK guidelines emphasise accurate identification, comprehensive assessment, and person‑centred, multimodal support across the lifespan.^1,2 Professional bodies also note that ADHD remains under‑diagnosed and under‑treated in adults, contributing to preventable difficulties at work, study, and home.³

At Mind‑Care Charlestown, Laura Nolan (Clinical Psychologist) provides evidence‑based support for adult ADHD, including late‑diagnosed presentations and ADHD with trauma histories.

Late‑diagnosed ADHD: why it’s common (and often missed earlier)

Adults may compensate for ADHD through routines, supportive colleagues, or sheer effort, which can mask symptoms until life demands intensify. In childhood, inattentive presentations are often less overt than hyperactivity, leading to missed recognition—particularly among girls who tend to internalise and mask difficulties.^3,4 Reviews of lived experience describe the emotional costs of delayed diagnosis—self‑criticism, strained relationships, and reduced self‑esteem—and the relief that comes with a clear, evidence‑based explanation.^4,5

In adulthood, increasing task complexity frequently reveals executive function (EF) differences: planning, task initiation, time‑management, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.^6,7

Adult ADHD: day‑to‑day impacts you might notice

ADHD in adults commonly involves inattention (difficulty sustaining focus, prioritising and organising), internal restlessness, impulsivity, and emotion regulation challenges that affect performance and wellbeing.^1,2 Neurophysiological research in adult ADHD links core difficulties to cognitive control and attention allocation (e.g., differences in EEG/ERP measures), helping explain why certain tasks feel disproportionately effortful even when motivation is high.⁶

Examples adults often report:

Re‑reading emails or instructions repeatedly before starting.
Avoiding complex, multi‑step tasks until the last minute.
“Time blindness” (losing track of the clock) or inconsistent follow‑through.
Feeling internally “revved” while appearing composed (or vice‑versa).

ADHD & Trauma: understanding the overlap

ADHD and post‑traumatic stress frequently co‑occur and can amplify clinical burden if not recognised.⁸ A systematic review reported increased PTSD risk among adults with ADHD and greater impairment when both conditions are present.⁸ Controlled studies have shown adults with ADHD have higher lifetime PTSD prevalence than controls, with more comorbidities and lower quality of life.⁹

In practice, trauma‑informed care validates lived experiences, paces interventions, and integrates grounding and arousal regulation alongside ADHD‑specific strategies. This ensures support addresses the whole picture, not just one symptom cluster.^8,9

Executive function support: practical strategies that help

External scaffolds:

Use calendar‑blocking, checklists, alarms, and visual timers to reduce cognitive load and decision fatigue.⁷

Micro‑steps & context cues:

Break complex tasks into smaller actions with realistic time estimates. Pair tasks with everyday cues—e.g., “reply to three emails during morning coffee”—to trigger task initiation.⁷

Environment design:

Create task‑specific zones and frictionless storage for commonly used items to minimise switching costs and reduce missed steps.⁷

Trauma‑informed routines:

Combine EF tools with grounding practices, sleep hygiene, and arousal regulation. Integrate skills‑based therapy for emotion regulation and attentional control if trauma is part of your history.^8,9

(Strategies are general and may be tailored with your clinician. Medication decisions are made by qualified prescribers in line with guidelines and local regulations.)

Preparing for an adult ADHD assessment (Charlestown & surrounds)

Timeline of indicators: Bring childhood reports (if available), academic/work patterns, and any life‑stage changes that affected focus or organisation.^1,2
Symptom tracking: Keep brief logs of focus, planning, emotion regulation, and sleep, noting any predictable fluctuations you notice.^1,2
Supports & stressors: Identify what helps (routines, apps, accountability) and what hinders (shift work, heavy caregiving load).⁷
Comorbidity screening: Flag trauma history and mood symptoms (anxiety/depression) so care plans can be integrated.^8,10

Want info specifically about PMDD & Female ADHD?

Some adults also want information about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and distinct patterns often seen in women. Research suggests women with ADHD are three to four times more likely to meet PMDD criteria than women without ADHD—risk is highest when anxiety or depression co‑occur.^11,12

For cycle‑aware strategies, perimenopause considerations, and more women‑specific guidance, read our dedicated article:
“Adult ADHD in Women: Late Diagnosis, Trauma Overlap, PMDD & Perimenopause”

FAQs: Adult ADHD, Late Diagnosis & Trauma

Q1: How do I know it’s ADHD and not stress or burnout?

A: ADHD involves persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity‑impulsivity beginning in childhood and affecting function across settings (home, work/study). Burnout is typically situational and time‑limited. Clinical guidelines emphasise developmental history, functional impairment, and structured assessment to differentiate ADHD from stress‑related difficulties.^1,2

Q2: What does an adult ADHD assessment involve?

A: A clinician will take a developmental history, explore current functional impairments, and consider comorbidities (e.g., anxiety/depression, trauma). Standardised scales may be used alongside interviews. Assessment should be person‑centred, aligned to guideline recommendations, and may inform psychological strategies and—where appropriate—medication decisions by qualified prescribers.^1,2

Q3: How do trauma symptoms affect ADHD evaluation and care?

A: Trauma can magnify attentional and emotion regulation difficulties and may mask or mimic ADHD features. Trauma‑informed assessment improves accuracy, while integrated strategies address both arousal regulation and executive function challenges.^8,9

Q4: Are anxiety and depression common in adults with ADHD?

A: Yes—comorbidity is common. Integrated care that addresses ADHD symptoms and mood/anxiety can improve outcomes and day‑to‑day functioning.^10,2

Q5: What practical changes help at work or study?

A: Agree on communication norms (e.g., bullet‑point emails), adopt shared calendars, use time‑boxing, and set micro‑deadlines. Environment tweaks—task zones, visual prompts—and supervision/peer accountability can reduce bottlenecks and increase follow‑through.⁷

Q6: Does ADHD look different in adults than in children?

A: Often, yes. Hyperactivity may become internal restlessness, while inattention and executive challenges remain or intensify as adult demands increase. Guidelines recognise symptom evolution across the lifespan and support multimodal approaches.^1,2

Q7: Where can I learn more about PMDD and ADHD in women?

A: See our women‑focused article for cycle‑aware strategies, PMDD, and perimenopause insights. Evidence indicates higher PMDD prevalence in women with ADHD, with strongest associations when anxiety/depression co‑occur.^11,12

Assessment & care in Australia

The AADPA Guideline (NHMRC‑approved) outlines best‑practice identification and diagnosis for adults: structured clinical interviews, multi‑source developmental history, functional impairment assessment, and screening for comorbidities such as trauma and mood symptoms.¹ NICE NG87 similarly endorses person‑centred, multimodal care for adults and clarifies how symptoms evolve across the lifespan.²

Why work with Laura Nolan in Charlestown

Laura Nolan focuses on adult ADHD, late diagnosis, and ADHD & trauma. She works with you to clarify your profile, build practical EF routines, and create sustainable, values‑aligned strategies for work, study, and relationships.^1,2

Next steps in Charlestown, Newcastle & the Hunter Region

If you are exploring adult or late‑diagnosed ADHD, ADHD with trauma, or you want to learn more about women‑specific topics such as PMDD, you can enquire about an appointment with Laura Nolan at Mind‑Care Charlestown.

Book an appointment with Laura:

Enquiries & bookings via our contact form or by calling 02 4943 4111.
Appointments: Our clinic in Charlestown, or online, servicing Newcastle & Hunter Region.
Focus areas: Adult ADHD, Late‑diagnosed ADHD, ADHD & Trauma, with a dedicated article for PMDD & Female ADHD.