How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult 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 likely refer you to an assessment of your clinical needs.
This will take place with an audiologist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They'll also prepare an assessment report to aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Speak with your doctor
If you or your child have issues with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the first step is to see your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe that you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. It may be helpful to bring some notes in writing along to the appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family background and identifying any mental health issues that you or your family might have experienced in the recent past. You might be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will discuss with you treatment options.
It's important to realise that it can be a challenge for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD since they've learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically require evidence to prove that the symptoms are causing significant impairment - this typically involves old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also want to rule out any other causes for your issues, like depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty finding a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may want to consider an assessment by a private doctor. There are a variety of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be a hassle to have to deal with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who don't know the science of ADHD However, perseverance is essential.
2. Request a recommendation
A clinical diagnosis is needed to qualify for Disability Living Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines provide a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may ask you to fill out an assessment form that will be assessed by psychiatrists. They may also want to talk to other professionals who have worked with you - for example, health professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present from childhood. They will also consider other health conditions such as thyroid issues or depression to determine if they can be the cause of your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which is helpful for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP for shared care management.
If you do not want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will assist you in managing your symptoms and develop life skills. Joining a support group for people suffering from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be very supportive and comforting.
Many people with ADHD find that they need to do more work than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This could mean they are self-conscious and can be dissatisfied with their lack of success at the workplace or in relationships. They might also feel people don't understand their situation and become angry or resentful. There are adhd uk diagnosis of ways you can seek help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by many good organisations.
3. Get a second opinion
For a lot of people, having an additional opinion is extremely beneficial. This is especially important when you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health conditions. They can assist you to understand what is happening to you and how it might be affecting your daily life.
It is essential 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, obtain an GP referral or make an appointment privately with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD.
If you choose to take the self-referral route it is recommended to gather any information you have prior to your appointment, and also making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on various aspects of your life. You may also request a copy of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. see them.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, including how they impact your daily life and examining any comorbidities that may be present, like depression or anxiety. A clinical interview and questionnaires are typically used to determine a diagnosis. This is followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the help you require including medication and psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It can also help you access disability support such as Disabled Students' Allowance and reasonable adjustments at the college or school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP thinks you might be suffering from ADHD, and that it is affecting your life in a significant way, they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is a lengthy procedure that involves speaking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and answering questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to look over your school records or speak to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. This is because ADHD is not thought to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms from the age of a child.
You'll likely be given the choice of selecting a provider once you've been referred. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK.
You may be able to get an assessment from your university if you are an undergraduate student. If they're willing to do so the results will be sufficient to get support from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They're not in a position to prescribe medication, so you may be able to get a private diagnose instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may suggest treatments such as medication or other. They'll also likely talk about your long-term goals and any other concerns you might have. Then they'll make a decision on what to do next and refer you back to your GP with plans. 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 to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how the condition presents in adults. They might also be biased against an diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. This can make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance will pay off.
You will need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to explain how you're experiencing symptoms and why you think they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been recurring for an extended period of time and are having a significant impact on your life. This could mean collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill in the forms detailing how you've suffered in the past.
After your assessment, you will be able to discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. This will usually involve a shared care agreement with your GP, where you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You can also get your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from a pharmacy.
A private diagnosis won't be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To receive medication through this route, you'll require a referral from the NHS and a full evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.