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.
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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.
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Website: www.hidden20.org
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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 dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.
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The Hidden 20%