How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or a child may be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to speak to your GP. They will not diagnose you right away, but they will recommend a clinical assessment.
This will be conducted with the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They'll also write a report that'll aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you or your child have an issue with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first step is to visit your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe you suffer from ADHD and will refer you to a specialist if necessary. It may be helpful to bring a few notes with you to the appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It will involve examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as asking about your family history, as well as any other mental health problems you or your family members suffered from in the past. You may be asked to complete some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you medication options.
It's important to realise that it can be a challenge for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD because they have learnt how to mask their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to establish 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 other causes for your difficulties such as depression or anxiety.
If you have difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private evaluation with one of the numerous providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating to have to deal with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who are not aware of the science behind ADHD, but persistence is key.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required in order to qualify for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines provide the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may require you to fill out an assessment form that will be assessed by psychiatrists. They might also talk to other professionals who have been around you, such as health professionals or teachers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also look at other health conditions like thyroid issues or depression to determine if they might explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist will discuss treatment options with you after the evaluation. This could include medication, which can be helpful for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you 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 psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life abilities. Joining a support group of people who suffer from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be very helpful and reassuring.
Many people who suffer from ADHD must be more efficient in their lives. This could mean they are self-conscious and can be frustrated by their lack of success in work or in relationships. They can also feel that other people don't understand them and be angry or bitter. There are many ways you can seek help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are many organizations that provide these services.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion is beneficial for a variety of people. This is especially true if you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like depression or anxiety that could co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to understand what is happening to you and how it might be impacting your daily life.
It is crucial to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist as it can impact whether you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can self-refer or get a GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you do decide to go through the self-referral process, it is recommended to gather any relevant information you might have before your appointment, as well as taking notes of the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on various aspects of your life. You may also request a copy of your records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, including how they impact your daily activities and assessing any comorbidities that might be present, like depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a clinical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they then follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the assistance you require like medication or psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It could also open the door to accessing disability support like Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD, and that it is affecting your life in a significant manner then they'll refer you to a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves speaking to someone (often psychiatrists) and answering questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to review your school records or speak to someone who knew you as a child. It's because ADHD is not thought to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms since the age of a child.
You'll likely have the choice of selecting the provider after you've been referred. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to use it on this page by ADHD UK.
You might be able get an assessment from your university if you are an undergraduate student. If they're happy to do this, then the results should be enough to access support through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you - so you may want to consider obtaining an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may suggest medication or other therapies. They'll also likely talk about your long-term goals as well as any other concerns that you might have. They'll then decide what to do next and send you back to see your GP. In most cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to look into medications and a recommendation to your GP for this to happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to obtain an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS are not aware of the condition's presentation in adults. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis could be biased against a diagnosis, or simply not consider the symptoms serious. This can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence will pay off.
You'll need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse, or psychiatrist. Only these healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to explain how you're experiencing symptoms and the reason you believe they could be related to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for a long time and are having an impact on your life. This could include obtaining old school records and asking family to fill out forms regarding your issues in the past.
After your clinical assessment, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to explore the possibility of taking medication. Typically, this will require a shared-care agreement with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. You can also opt to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from pharmacies.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis will not necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this route, you will require a referral from NHS and a full assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.