When you’re struggling with symptoms of ADHD, it’s understandable to want answers as quickly as possible. The uncertainty can be overwhelming and a diagnosis can feel like the key to moving forward. But when it comes to ADHD, faster doesn’t always mean better. A quick assessment might provide speed, but it risks missing the depth and accuracy needed for a truly reliable diagnosis.
At Beyond Clinics, we’ve seen first-hand how much difference a comprehensive, thoughtful assessment makes. That’s why we use the DIVA-5 – one of the most robust, internationally recognised tools for assessing ADHD in adults – alongside a wider, structured diagnostic process. Because when it comes to ADHD, getting it right matters far more than getting it fast.
Why Rushing a Diagnosis Can Be Problematic.
ADHD is complex: it can look different in each person, it overlaps with other conditions, and it often presents differently in adulthood than it does in childhood. A rushed assessment risks:
Missing childhood history: ADHD diagnosis requires showing that symptoms were present in both childhood and adulthood. Skipping over childhood can mean missing the bigger picture.
Overlooking comorbidities: Over half of people with ADHD have another condition, such as anxiety, depression or autism, alongside it. A quick assessment may focus only on ADHD symptoms, missing important factors that shape the right treatment.
Surface-level understanding: ADHD affects every part of life from work and study through to relationships and daily organisation. Without a deep, structured interview, it’s hard to grasp the true impact on a person’s life.
This is why Beyond has built its assessment pathway around thoroughness, not speed alone.
The Role of the DIVA-5 in ADHD Diagnosis.
The Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, version 5 (DIVA-5) is an evidence-based, structured tool designed to bring clarity to adult ADHD diagnosis. It is grounded in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) criteria and focuses on the 18 core symptoms of ADHD: nine relating to inattention and nine to hyperactivity/impulsivity.
Here’s what makes the DIVA-5 so valuable:
Retrospective and current perspective: It asks about behaviours both in childhood and adulthood, ensuring ADHD isn’t misdiagnosed as a purely adult-onset condition.
Concrete, realistic examples: Rather than abstract questions, the DIVA-5 uses everyday examples to help people recognise symptoms in their own lives.
Structured approach: It removes guesswork by following a consistent format, ensuring that no crucial diagnostic step is missed.
Clarity for clinicians and patients: The outcome is not just a diagnosis, but a clearer shared understanding of how ADHD shows up in a person’s life.
At Beyond, we don’t stop at the DIVA-5. While it is central to our process, we combine it with psychiatric evaluation, QbCheck testing, and a detailed look at co-occurring conditions. This means you leave not just with a label, but with a rounded understanding of yourself and a clear path forward.
Beyond’s Comprehensive ADHD Assessment Process.
Many clinics fit the entire diagnostic process into a single 60-90-minute session. We believe this isn’t enough time to do justice to the complexity of ADHD.
At Beyond, our process looks different. We conduct a range of different appointments to make sure that we’re building a holistic assessment of the person. This starts with a dedicated DIVA-5 consultation (around 90 minutes) conducted by a specialist ADHD nurse. This ensures that the core ADHD symptoms are thoroughly explored before meeting with a psychiatrist. Following this, we have a psychiatrist or CAMHS Consultant Psychiatrist assessment (around 90 minutes), where we build on the DIVA-5 results to look at comorbidities, overall mental health, and the wider impact of symptoms on life.
There is also pre- and post-session analysis, giving our team the time to prepare and tailor your assessment, as well as to compile a detailed personalised report. These findings are then built into our follow-up support and after diagnosis, you can book a post-diagnosis support session to ask questions, explore treatment options, and plan next steps. This structure means we can offer speed (appointments within 7 days and a full assessment within 4 weeks) without sacrificing the depth needed for accuracy.
Why Choose Beyond?
Beyond was founded by people who know what it’s like to seek an ADHD diagnosis themselves. We’ve walked in your shoes and built the kind of service we wish we had found. That’s why our approach is different:
We give you time: Our ADHD assessments last 3.5-4 hours in total, ensuring nothing is rushed.
We’re flexible: You can choose online or in-person assessments at any of our clinics – the standard of care is the same either way.
We go beyond diagnosis: From adjustment letters for school, university or work, to prescription management and regular contact with a dedicated nursing team, we make sure you’re supported long after your assessment.
We’re thorough: Alongside DIVA-5, we include QbCheck and other tools in the cost of your assessment.
We understand: ADHD is not just a condition to be diagnosed; it’s an experience to be understood. We take the time to see the whole person, not just the symptoms.
A Diagnosis That Truly Helps.
A fast assessment may offer speed but if it misses the full picture, it risks leaving you with more questions than answers. At Beyond, we believe that your diagnosis should be the start of something. It’s not just a label, but a roadmap to understanding yourself and finding the support you deserve. That’s why we take the time to listen, to explore, and to assess comprehensively. Because with ADHD, getting it right really matters.
