How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Speak to your GP If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to diagnose you right there and then but will probably refer you for an assessment of your clinical needs.
This will be with psychiatrists (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate you for ADHD. They will also assist you obtain DSA and reasonable adjustments by making reports.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you or your child have issues with ADHD, the first step is to see your GP. They will be able to determine whether they believe you have ADHD and will refer you to a specialist if necessary. It might be useful to take written notes during this appointment.
diagnosed with adhd as an adult will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. This is a process that can take between 45 and 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and asking about your family history and any other mental health issues you or your family have had in the past. You may be asked to complete a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you.
Adults often hide their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to establish that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done through old school records or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out other causes for your problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, you may want to consider a private assessment. There are a variety of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. But persistence is essential.
2. Request a recommendation
A medical diagnosis is required in order to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines give you a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor may ask you to fill out a questionnaire that will be evaluated by a psychiatrist. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have been around you, such as healthcare professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health conditions such as thyroid issues or depression to determine if they might be the cause of your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This could include medication, which can be useful for many with ADHD. If you decide to go with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist could recommend an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This will help you manage your symptoms and improve your life abilities. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring.
Many people suffering from ADHD find that they need to be more arduous than other people to live their daily lives. This can cause low self-esteem and anger about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel people don't understand their situation and become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways you can seek support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are offered by a variety of reputable organizations.
3. Get a second opinion
A second opinion can be helpful for many people. This can be particularly important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like anxiety or depression that could coexist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health conditions and can offer an accurate understanding of what you are going through and how it is affecting your life.
It is important that you discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist, since this will determine if you have the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referring or getting a GP referral or make an appointment with a private doctor and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you opt to self-refer it's recommended to gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your life. You may also request a copy of your records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed evaluation of your symptoms. They will assess how they affect your daily activities and will look for complications, like depression or anxiety. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are typically used to arrive at a diagnosis. The diagnosis is followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the help you require, such as medication and psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It could also open the doors to accessing disability support, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments at college or at school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP believes that you have ADHD and believes that it is affecting your life in a significant manner, they will recommend a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to see your school records or talk to anyone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because it's not thought that ADHD develops in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
You'll likely be offered the option to choose a provider once you've been advised. Patients in England have the legal right to select their mental healthcare providers and also their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to utilize it on this page from ADHD UK.
If you're a student, you may be able to get an assessment through your university. If they are willing to take the initiative the report is sufficient to receive help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. They won't be in the position to prescribe medications, so you might think about obtaining an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may suggest treatment or other options. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goal and any other concerns you might have. Then, they'll make a choice about what to do next and send you back to your GP with an action plan. In most instances, a doctor will identify ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would prefer to take medication. They might also refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS are not aware of the condition's presentation in adults. They could be biased or do not take the symptoms seriously. This could make it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance will pay off.
You'll need to go through a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to explain why you're struggling with the symptoms and why you think they could be related to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for some time and are having an impact on your life. This could involve getting old school reports and asking family members to fill in forms about how you have struggled in the past.
After your clinical assessment You can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore different options for your medication. Typically, this will require a shared-care agreement with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from pharmacies.
It's important to note that a private diagnosis may not necessarily qualify you for 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 getting medication through this method.