How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or a child may have ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They can't diagnose you immediately, but they will probably refer you for a clinical assessment.
This will take place with a psychiatrist (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate you for ADHD. They can also help you get DSA and reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Talk to your GP
If you or your child have issues with ADHD, the first step is to consult your GP. They will be able to determine whether they think that you suffer from ADHD and refer you to a specialist if necessary. You may find it beneficial to write down some notes to this appointment.
Your GP should then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This procedure will take 45 to 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and asking about your family history, and any other mental health problems you or your family have been through in the past. You may be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and will also discuss treatment options with you.
Adults often hide their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually need evidence that the symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also have to rule out any other causes for your issues like depression or anxiety.
If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may think about a private assessment. There are a variety of options available on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating to be faced with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are not aware of the science behind ADHD, but perseverance is essential.
2. Ask for a referral
A diagnosis from a doctor is required in order to qualify for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines provide a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP will likely require you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be evaluated by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also ask you to consult with other professionals who have worked with you, such as teachers or healthcare workers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also look into whether other health conditions like thyroid or depression, could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist might discuss possible treatment options with you following the examination. This might include medication which could be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to go with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care.
If you do not want to take medication You can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This can help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life abilities. You may also find it beneficial to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be reassuring and supportive.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find that they need to be more arduous than other people to live their daily lives. This can mean they have low self-esteem and may be dissatisfied with their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel others don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are many ways that you can get support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by a variety of reputable organizations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
A second opinion is helpful for many people. This can be particularly important if you've been misdiagnosed or suffer from a condition such as anxiety or depression that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health conditions. They can help you understand what is happening to you and how it might be affecting your daily life.
It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in detail in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this by self-referral or a GP referral or go private and book an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you choose to self-refer, it's a good idea to gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your life. You can also request that copies of your medical records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed assessment of your symptoms, including how they impact your daily activities and assessing any comorbidities that may be present, such as depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a clinical interview to establish a diagnosis which they then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, which includes psychotherapy and medication. It could also open the doors to accessing disability support such as Disabled Student' Allowance or reasonable adjustments to college or at school.
4. Take a medical assessment
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's impacting your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves speaking to someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to see your school records, or speak to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. It's because ADHD isn't thought to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms since your childhood.
You'll likely be offered the option of choosing one of the providers after being recommended. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers and also their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to make use of it on this page by ADHD UK.
If you're a student, you may be able to be assessed by your university. If they're willing to take the initiative the results is sufficient to receive help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you - therefore, you might want to look into getting an individual diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. The doctor may recommend medications or other treatments. They'll also likely talk about your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you may have. They'll then decide what to do and send you back to your GP. In the majority of cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion about whether you want to consider medications and a referral to your GP to make this happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to get an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They could be biased or do not consider symptoms as serious. This could make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off.
You will need to have an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. adhd uk diagnosis will be asked to describe your reasons for believing that the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to ADHD. They'll be interested to know that your symptoms will last and have a significant effect on you. This could involve obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've struggled in the past.
Following your clinical assessment, you'll be able to discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. Typically, this will require a shared-care agreement with your GP where you pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You may also opt to get your diagnosis done privately and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
A private diagnosis will not be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this route, you will need a referral from the NHS and a complete assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.