ADHD
ADHD - Continuing treatment for students with an existing diagnosis
The UCC Student Health Service does not provide an assessment and diagnostic service for those students who believe they may have ADHD but who have not yet had a formal diagnosis. The options available for the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and ADD via either the HSE (Health Service Executive) Public Health Service OR via the Private Health Services are listed below.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has been recognised and recorded as a clinical entity for over 120 years. Rates of ADHD in childhood are estimated at 5% and of these children, up to 2/3 will continue to experience impairment in adulthood including 15% who continue to meet full diagnostic criteria for the disorder. ADHD is associated with poor education outcomes and can have long-term negative effects on the mental health, well-being, and socio-economic outcomes of university students.
UCC Student Health wishes to support the ongoing clinical care of students who have a formal diagnosis of ADHD. If you have a formal diagnosis of ADHD (or ADD) and you wish UCC Student Health to assist in your care, your treating Consultant Psychiatrist must complete the Form below and the Form must be returned to the UCC Student Health Service - Our postal address is on the Form.
We are unable to assist or prescribe for you if this Form is not completed in full.
The Form will be reviewed by UCC Student Health team member and if appropriate UCC Student Health will continue your prescriptions while you are a registered student.
All patients on ADHD medication require a 6-monthly physical check up of their Blood Pressure, heart rate, and weight. A physical check is also mandated 2 weeks after any change in the dose of stimulant mediation. This is in keeping with the Irish and UK guidelines.
Referral for Continuation of ADHD Treatment Form
Important information about ADDERAL
Adderal is not available in Ireland and cannot be prescribed by Doctors in Ireland.
Before coming to Ireland, if you are an international students who is currently prescribed Adderal, you must contact your Consultant Psychiatrist and arrange a transfer to an an alternative ADHD medication that is available and presscribable in Ireland. You should arrange this well in advance of your arrival to enssure you are on an adequate dose that is tolerable to you.
In Ireland, the medications available for prescription by a Doctor specialising in ADHD are Methylphenidate, Lisdexamphetaime and Atomoxetine.
ADHD Resources in UCC
You may benefit from supports provided by UCC Student Health or UCC Student Counselling for other aspects of your physical or mental health and wellbeing, and whether you have a formal diagnosiis of ADHD, whether you are on stimulant medication or not, or indeed even if you have not yet been diagnosed with ADHD but would like support or guidance, the following resources may help.
UCC Neurodiversity Society
https://www.ucc.ie/en/societies/allsocieties/
neurodiversity@uccsocieties.ieUCC
UCC Skills Centre
https://www.ucc.ie/en/skillscentre/
Sessions – Time Management, Study Strategies, Note taking, Presentation Skills and others
1:1 and group sessions with tutors around planning and study skills etc.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
https://www.ucc.ie/en/access/support-while-in-ucc/disability-support/
Students with an ADHD diagnosis can register with DSS to get additional support, needs assessment, reasonable accommodation etc.
External ADHD Resources
HSE ADHD App
https://adhdireland.ie/adult-adhd-app/
UMAAP -Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD 6 week programme- FREE
UMAAP is a novel programme integrating psychoeducation with ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to cultivate knowledge of ADHD, self-acceptance and self-compassion, and psychological flexibility in attendees, with the aim of improving their quality of lives. Across the 6 weeks, attendees will learn about neurodivergent brains, executive functioning, inattention and impulsivity, self-care and daily living, emotional regulation and self-acceptance. They will also be introduced to ACT concepts of values, acceptance, connecting to the present moment, committed action and defusion.
umaap@adhdireland.ie
Podcast
ADHD & How Anyone Can Improve Their Focus • Huberman Lab (spotify.com)
HSE (Public Service) options for assessment and diagnosis
The Irish public health service, the Health Service Executive (HSE), has developed a National Clinical Programme Model of care for adults with ADHD. This model of care states that assessment and treatment will be provided within the public mental health services. Unfortunately, this service is currently not available in many areas in Ireland. At this time, 2023 only 4 services are provided and waiting times can be very long. It is hoped that additional services will be rolled out in the future. Individuals over the age of 18 who are ordinarily resident in Community Healthcare Organisations (CHO)s 1, 3,4 and 6 should access care in ADHD clinics in these catchment areas via GP referral.
The private sector has a very limited number of clinicians who offer ADHD assessment. The most up to date details are available on the adhdireland.ie website.
Non- HSE Private Options for assessment and diagnosis
List of private providers of ADHD assessments - https://adhdireland.ie/adhd-irelands-list-of-clinicians/
GP ADHD clinic Dun Laoghaire https://adhddoc.ie/
Dr Vicky Matthews – Clinical Psychology in Kinsale https://www.westcorkpsychology.ie/
Hazelton Clinic Psychology – Douglas Road, Cork https://hazelton.ie/