How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child could have ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right immediately, but they will likely refer you to an assessment in the clinic.
This will be done with an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They will also assist you get DSA and reasonable adjustments by writing an assessment report.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you or your child is suffering from issues with ADHD the first step is to consult your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD, they will refer you to an expert. It may be helpful to bring a few notes along to the appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment of ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family background, and asking about any mental health issues that you or your family members may have faced in the recent past. You may be asked to complete some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about medication options.
Adults often conceal their symptoms, making it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually need evidence that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment - this typically involves old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need to rule out other reasons for your issues such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting 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 difficult to have to deal with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science behind ADHD However, persistence is key.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines provide a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor may request you to complete an assessment form that will be assessed by psychiatrists. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have worked with you, like teachers or healthcare workers. They will look for signs that match those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also examine other health issues like thyroid or depression to determine if they can explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist will discuss the options for treatment with you following the assessment. This could include medications, which can be helpful for many people with ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP for shared care management.
If you don't want to take medication or take medication, you may ask your Psychiatrist an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will assist you in managing your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be very helpful and reassuring.
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that they must do more work than others to live their daily lives. This can mean that they are self-conscious and can be unhappy with their lack of success in work or with relationships. They might also feel others don't understand their situation and feel angry or bitter. There are many ways to receive support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are a lot of good organisations that offer these services.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion can be helpful for many people. This can be particularly important in the event that you've been misdiagnosed, or suffer from a condition such as anxiety or depression that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing mental health issues and can offer an understanding of the issues you're going through and how it is affecting your life.
It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist thoroughly, as it can influence whether you fit the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this either by self-referring or getting a GP referral, or you can make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you do decide to take the self-referral route, it is a good idea to gather any supporting information you have prior to your appointment, as well as noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different areas of your life. You can also request an official copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to when you see them.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, looking at the ways they affect your daily functioning and assessing any comorbidities that may be present, like anxiety or depression. They will typically 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 help you get the support you need to manage your symptoms, which includes medication and psychotherapy. It can also assist you to get disability assistance, such as Disabled Students' Allowance and reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Get a clinical evaluation
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 a clinical assessment. This is a lengthy procedure that involves speaking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They might also need to see your school records, or talk to someone who was familiar with you as when you were a child. This is because ADHD is not believed to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms since the age of a child.
You'll likely be offered the option of choosing the provider after you've been recommended. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their own mental healthcare 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 webpage from ADHD UK.
If you're a student you might be able receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to provide it, their report is sufficient to receive help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. They're not in the position to prescribe medication, so you might be able to get an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment, and may recommend treatments such as medication or other. adhd diagnostic 'll also likely talk about your long-term goals and any other concerns that you might have. Then, they'll make a choice about what to do following that and return you to your GP with an action plan. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you want to consider medication options and a referral to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS, lack understanding of how the condition presents in adults. They may also be biased towards a diagnosis, or simply not take the symptoms seriously. This makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence pays off.
You will require a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to describe your reasons for believing that the symptoms you are experiencing could be due to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for some time and have an impact on your life. This could include finding old school records and asking your family members to fill out forms regarding your struggles in the past.
After your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you'd like to investigate different options for your medication. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at a pharmacy.
A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this route, you will require a referral from NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.