ADHD Assessment Truths: Who Can Diagnose, What to Expect & Why It Matters

In part two of Ben’s conversation with Dr Shyamal
Mashru, they unpack what actually makes a good ADHD
assessment - and why so many people are still waiting,
misdiagnosed, or left without answers.


Dr Shyamal, an NHS Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Lead for
Adult ADHD, explains what happens inside a thorough assessment,
who is qualified to diagnose ADHD, and why emotional
dysregulation is so often overlooked. 


Together, they explore NHS vs private pathways, co-occurring
conditions like autism and RSD, and why ADHD rarely shows up in
neat, textbook ways.


We hope this episode brings clarity to a process that can often
feel stressful, and inaccessible. If you’re questioning ADHD, on
a waiting list, or trying to understand what good care really
looks like, this conversation is for you.


Join us at hidden20.org/donate.


________


Host: Ben Branson


Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné


Video Editor: James Scriven


Social Media Manager: Charlie Young


Music: Jackson Greenberg


Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller


00:00 Introduction


01:12 Who Can Diagnose ADHD in the UK?


04:25 ADHD Assessment Options: NHS vs Private
Explained


11:20 ADHD Assessments Outside the UK: What’s
Different?


13:00 Why ADHD Assessments Are Complex &
Often Siloed


20:14 ADHD & Reduced Life Expectancy: What
the Research Shows


24:20 What Makes a Good ADHD Assessment?


29:25 ADHD at School vs University: Missed
Support


32:50 RSD, Relationships & Emotional
Regulation Flags


34:16 ADHD & Daily Life: Hobbies, Money,
Sleep


41:02 When ADHD Gets Misdiagnosed - and Why


47:15 Autism + ADHD: What If You Suspect Both?


55:06 The Missing Piece in ADHD Diagnosis:
Emotional Dysregulation


59:00 Dr Shyamal’s Green Dot Badge








The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben
Branson.


Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees
neurodivergence.


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1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet
too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without
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To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep
showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing
stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and
research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people
turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about
brilliant brains.


With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep
fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.


Join us at hidden20.org/donate.


Become a monthly donor.


Be part of our community where great minds think differently.





Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348


______________


Follow & subscribe…


Website: www.hidden20.org


Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity


Ben Branson @seedlip_ben


Dr Shymal Mashru @harrowhealthcic


Harrow Health offers bespoke NHS community outpatient services
across London, plus fast adult ADHD assessment and treatment
across England. For more information please visit:
https://adhdrighttochoose.com/





If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green
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