How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right away however they will refer you to a medical assessment.
This will take place with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They can also help you receive DSA and make reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Speak with your doctor
The first thing to do if you or your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD, they will refer you to an expert if needed. It may be useful to take written notes to this appointment.
Your GP should then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that can take between 45 and 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and asking about your family history and any other mental health problems you or your family members been through in the past. You may also be asked to fill out several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about treatment options.
Adults often mask their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to see proof that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also need to rule out other causes for your difficulties like anxiety or depression.
If you are having difficulty 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 dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the science behind ADHD. However, persistence is the key to success.
2. Request a recommendation
A medical diagnosis is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines provide a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may request you to complete the questionnaire which will be assessed by psychiatrists. They might also speak to other professionals who have been around you - for example, health professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also investigate whether other health conditions, such as thyroid issues or depression, could explain your symptoms.
After the evaluation, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication which could be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist could refer you to your GP to discuss the management of your care.
If you do not want to take medication You may ask your Psychiatrist an independent assessment of psychological or occupational therapy. This can aid in managing your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group of people who suffer from ADHD can be helpful. They can be reassuring and supportive.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find they have to work harder than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration with their lack of accomplishment at work or in relationships. They might also feel that people don't understand their situation and may become angry or bitter. There are many ways that you can seek help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by many good organisations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
For a lot of people, having a second opinion is extremely beneficial. This is especially true in the event that you've been misdiagnosed or if you have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in diagnosing mental health disorders and can give you an understanding of the issues you're going through and how it is affecting your life.
You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in detail in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this by self-referring or getting a GP referral or go private and book an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer, it's a good idea to gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect different areas of your daily life. You can also ask for an official copy of your medical records to be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. visit them.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will examine the way they impact your daily life, and look for any co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. They typically employ questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to reach a diagnosis, which they then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the support you need like medication or psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also assist you to access support for disabled people, such as Disabled Students' Allowance and reasonable adjustments at college or at school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and believes that it is affecting your life in a significant way, they will recommend a clinical assessment. This is a lengthy process that involves talking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to look over your school records or speak to someone who knew you as an infant. This is due to the fact that it's not believed that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment you'll probably be given a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental healthcare providers and also their local NHS trust. This is known as 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 school in case you're an undergraduate student. If they are willing to do so the report will be sufficient to get help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you may need to look into getting an individual diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may suggest medication or other therapies. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns that you might have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to visit your GP. In most cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd prefer to take medication. They might also refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS are not aware of how the condition presents in adults. They could be biased against a diagnosis, or simply not take the symptoms seriously. It can be difficult to get a proper diagnosis. Persistence will pay off.
You'll need to undergo a a specialist assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. Only these professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to explain why you are struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they could be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for an extended period of time and have an enormous impact on your life. This could include obtaining old school records and asking family members to fill in forms regarding your past struggles.
After your clinical evaluation You can discuss with your doctor if you would like to explore the possibility of taking medication. This is usually a shared care agreement with your GP which will allow you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also opt to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from a pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis will not necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). For adhd diagnosing to be obtained through this route, you will need a referral from the NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.