How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you immediately but they'll refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be done with a psychiatrist (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They can also assist you to receive DSA and reasonable adjustments by making reports.
1. Speak to your doctor
The first thing you need to do should you or your child has a problem with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert. It might be beneficial to bring some notes in writing with you to the appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that can take between 45 and 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as looking into your family history, and any other mental health problems you or your family members have had in the past. You may be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you medication options.
Adults often hide their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will typically want to see evidence that the symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out any other possible causes for your problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may be interested in an assessment by a private doctor. There are a number of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating to be faced with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who don't know the science behind ADHD however perseverance is the key to success.
2. Ask for a reference
A clinical diagnosis is required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In how to get an adhd diagnosis uk I Am Psychiatry , Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines give you the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor might require you to fill out an assessment form that will be assessed by psychiatrists. They may also want to consult with other professionals who have known you, such as teachers or health workers. They will look for signs that match those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health conditions such as thyroid or depression to determine if they might explain your symptoms.
After the test, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you are not ready to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group of people suffering from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring.
Many people with ADHD must struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. This can mean that they are self-conscious and may be dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at work or with relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and become angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways to receive assistance. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are many excellent organizations that provide these services.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
A second opinion can be beneficial for a lot of people. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like anxiety or depression that may be co-existent with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues and can give you an accurate understanding of what you're experiencing and how it may be affecting your life.
It is crucial to discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist as this will determine if you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can self-refer or obtain an GP referral or make an appointment with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD.
If you choose to take the self-referral route, it is a good idea to gather any relevant information you have prior to your appointment, and also making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different areas of your life. You may also request copies of your medical documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms, examining the ways they affect your daily life and examining any comorbidities present, including anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a medical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy. It can also help you access support for disabled people, like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in school or college.
4. Take a medical assessment
If your GP believes that you may be suffering from ADHD and believes that it affects your life in a significant way they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is typically a thorough process which involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to examine your school records, or speak to anyone who knew you well as a child. This is because it's believed that ADHD can develop in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
You'll likely be given the option of choosing one of the providers after being referred. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers and their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to make use of it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
If you're a student you might be able to get an assessment through your university. If they're willing to do this, then their report should be enough to qualify for support through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance. They won't be in the position to prescribe medications, so you might be able to get an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. He or she may recommend medications or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you may have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what next and send you back to your GP with an action plan. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion about whether you'd like to think about medications and a referral back to your GP to make this happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS are not aware of the signs and symptoms that are seen in adults. They may be biased or don't consider symptoms as serious. It is sometimes difficult to get a proper diagnosis. Persistence is rewarded.
You'll need to undergo a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. Only these healthcare experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain your reasons for believing that your symptoms could be due to ADHD. They will want to know that your symptoms will last and have a significant effect on your. This could include obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill out reports on how you've struggled in the past.
After your clinical assessment After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you'd like to investigate medication options. This usually involves a shared care agreement with your GP which will allow you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also get your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from pharmacies.
It's important to note that a private diagnosis won't necessarily be enough to access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You will require an NHS referral and a full evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of receiving medication through this route.