How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or a child may be suffering from ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you immediately, but they will recommend a clinical assessment.
This will be done with an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They'll also prepare an assessment report to assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you or your child have an issue with ADHD, the first step is to consult your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD, they will refer you to an expert if needed. It might be useful to take written notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. The process should take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family members may have had in the past. You might 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 conceal their symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to establish that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done through old school records or letters from family. They'll also want to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the numerous services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. But persistence is essential.
2. Request a recommendation
A diagnosis from a doctor is required to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely request you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be evaluated by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They might also speak to other professionals who have been around you - such as health professionals or teachers. They will be looking for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also examine other health conditions like depression or thyroid issues to see if they could be the cause of 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 use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss the care management.
If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group for people with ADHD could be beneficial. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD must work harder to get by in their lives. This could mean they are self-conscious and may be dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at work or with relationships. They might also feel other people don't understand them and become angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways to get help. You can join online groups or meet in person. There are many good organisations that offer these services.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
For many, getting a second opinion is extremely beneficial. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition like anxiety or depression that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to determine what's happening to you and how it might be impacting your daily life.
It is crucial to discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist as this will determine if you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can either self-refer or request an GP referral or schedule an appointment privately with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you do decide to take the self-referral route it is recommended to gather any supporting information you have prior to your appointment, and also noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different areas of your life. You may also request the records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed assessment of your symptoms, including the ways they affect your daily functioning and assessing any comorbidities that might be present, including anxiety or depression. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are commonly used to arrive at an assessment. This is then followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the assistance you require including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also open the doors to accessing disability support like Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's impacting your life and your family, they'll recommend an assessment. It's usually a extensive process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling in questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to look over your school records or to speak to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. This is because it's believed that ADHD can develop in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll likely be given a choice of which healthcare provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers, as well as their local NHS trust. This is called 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 might be able get an assessment through your university. If they're willing to allow this, then the results will be sufficient to get assistance through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you - therefore, you may need to look into getting a private diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. He or she may recommend medications or other treatments. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk will also likely discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns that you might have. They'll then make a decision on what to do next and return you 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 look into medications and a referral back to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased against the diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. This makes it harder to obtain a diagnosis, however perseverance can pay off.
You will require an assessment by a specialist psychologist, specialist nurse, or psychiatrist. Only these professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain your reasons for believing that the symptoms you are experiencing could be due to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been present for a long time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could include obtaining old school records and asking family to fill out forms about your struggles in the past.
After your clinical assessment you'll be able decide if you would like to look into alternative medication options. Usually, this will involve a shared-care agreement with your GP where you pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through a pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis will not necessarily be enough to access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To receive medication through this method, you'll require a referral from the NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.