How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't diagnose you immediately however they will refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate you for ADHD. They can also help you receive DSA and make reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Talk to your doctor
The first thing you need to do should you or your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able to determine whether they think that you have ADHD and will refer you to a specialist when needed. You may find it beneficial to write down some notes during this appointment.
Your GP should then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues that you or your family members may have had in the recent past. You might be asked to complete a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet 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 get diagnosed with ADHD since they've developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to see proof that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family. They'll also have to rule out other reasons for your difficulties, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're having trouble finding a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may want to consider an individual assessment. There are a variety of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be difficult to be faced with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science of ADHD, but perseverance is essential.
2. Ask for a reference
A clinical diagnosis is required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may request you to complete an assessment form that will be assessed by a psychiatrist. They may also want to consult with other professionals who have worked with you - for example, teachers or health workers. They will look for signs that match those of ADHD in adults and have been present since the age of. They will also look into whether other health issues, such as depression or thyroid problems might be the cause of your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss the options for treatment with you following the evaluation. This could include medication, which can be helpful for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist can suggest an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can help to reduce your symptoms and increase your life skills. Joining a group of people with ADHD could be beneficial. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people with ADHD discover that they must do more work than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This can cause low self-esteem and anger about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel other people don't understand them and may become angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways to seek out support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by numerous reputable organizations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
A second opinion is beneficial for a variety of people. 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 the diagnosis of mental health issues and can give you an understanding of the issues you're experiencing and how it could be impacting your life.
It is important that you discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist, since this will determine if you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referring or obtaining an GP referral or go private and book an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you choose to take the self-referral route it is a good idea to gather any supporting information you have prior to your appointment, and also making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different aspects of your life. You may also request that 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, including the ways they affect your daily activities and assessing any comorbidities present, such as depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a medical interview to determine a diagnosis, which they then follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, such as medication and psychotherapy. It can also allow you to get disability assistance, such as Disabled Students' Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in the college or school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's significantly impacting on your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is a thorough procedure that involves speaking with someone (often psychiatrists) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also want to see your school records, or talk to someone who was familiar with you as a child. This is due to the fact that it's not believed that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
You'll likely be offered the option of choosing a provider once you've been recommended. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. You can find useful information on how to utilize this tool on ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose.
If you're a student, you might be able to be assessed by your university. If they're willing to take the initiative the results will be enough to qualify for 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 want to consider getting an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will assess whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may recommend treatments such as medication or other. They will also likely discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns that you might have. Then they'll make a decision about what to do following that and return you to your GP with an action plan. In the majority of cases doctors will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to consider medication. They may be able to refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They may be biased or don't take symptoms seriously. This makes it harder to obtain a diagnosis, however perseverance can pay off.
You will require an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to describe your reasons for believing that your symptoms might be related to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been going on for some time and are having a significant impact on your life. This could include finding old school records and asking family to fill out forms detailing your issues in the past.
After your assessment, you will be able to discuss whether you want to consider medication options. This usually involves a shared care agreement with your GP, where you will be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at pharmacies.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis won't necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this route, you will require a referral from NHS and a thorough assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.