How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect that you or your child could have ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but likely refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be done with a psychiatrist or psychologist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll examine your ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report to aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Speak with your doctor
The first thing you need to do if you or your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD and they recommend you to an expert. It may be helpful to bring some written notes along to the appointment.
Your GP should then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take 45 to 90 minutes. It involves examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as seeking out your family history, and any other mental health problems you or your family members have suffered from in the past. You may be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about medication options.
It is important to realize that it can be a challenge for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD since they've learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will need to verify that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family. They will also need to rule out any other causes for your difficulties, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may be interested in an individual assessment. There are many providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be a hassle to be faced with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science of ADHD However, perseverance is essential.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely ask you to complete an assessment questionnaire. The results will be assessed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have been around you, such as teachers or healthcare workers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also consider whether other health conditions, such as thyroid issues or depression, could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss possible treatment options with you following the evaluation. This could include medication, which is useful for many who have ADHD. If you decide to go with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP to manage shared care.
If you are not ready to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. You may also find it useful to join a group for people with ADHD. They can be reassuring and supportive.
Many people who suffer from ADHD need to work harder to get by in their daily lives. This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that others don't understand them and may become angry or resentful. There are many ways that you can seek help. You can join online groups or meet in person. There are a lot of excellent organizations that provide these services.
3. Get another opinion
For a lot of people, having an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. This is especially important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that could be co-existent with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in diagnosing mental health disorders and can offer a clear understanding of what you're going through and how it could be impacting your life.
You should discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in depth in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can either self-refer or request a GP referral or make an appointment in private with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you decide to go through the self-referral process it is recommended to gather any relevant information you may have prior to your appointment, and noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different areas of your life. You may also request a copy of your documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, examining the ways they affect your daily life and looking at any comorbidities that might be present, including depression or anxiety. They will usually use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to establish a diagnosis which they will then follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the help you require to manage your symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy. It can also assist you to access support for disabled people, such as Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments at the college or school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's significantly affecting your life, they'll refer you for an assessment in a clinical setting. This is usually a fairly thorough process which involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to see your school records, or speak to someone who knew you as a child. This is because it's believed that ADHD develops in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
You'll likely be given the option to choose a provider once you've been referred. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you can find information on how to use it on this page by ADHD UK.
ADHD Diagnosis may be able to obtain an assessment from your university in case you're an undergraduate student. If they're willing to provide it, their report will be sufficient to get assistance from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They won't be in the position to prescribe medication, so you might be able to get a private diagnose instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. He or she might recommend treatment with medication or other methods. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll then decide on what to do and refer you back to your GP. In most cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you'd like to look into medication options and a referral back to your GP for this to happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS, lack understanding of how ADHD manifests in adults. They may be biased or don't take the symptoms seriously. This can make it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance can pay off.
You will need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these professionals are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to describe your reasons for believing that the symptoms you are experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been going on for some time and are having a significant impact on your life. This could include getting old school records or asking family members to fill in forms about your past struggles.
After your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore medication options. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP which will allow you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also choose to get your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from a pharmacy.
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 thorough examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of obtaining medication through this route.