How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult your GP If you think you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will probably refer you for an assessment in the clinic.
This will be done with the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll assess your ADHD. They will also assist you get DSA and make reasonable adjustments by making an assessment report.
1. Talk with your doctor
The first thing you should do should you or your child is suffering with ADHD is to see your GP. They will be able to assess whether they think that you suffer from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It might be helpful to take some written notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist 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 looking into your family history, and any other mental health issues you or your family have suffered from in the past. You might be asked to fill out several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will discuss with you the options for medication.
Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to see proof that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also want to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private evaluation with one of the numerous services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be a hassle to have to deal with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who don't know the science behind ADHD however perseverance is essential.
2. Ask for a referral
A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant the right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely require you to fill out the questionnaire, which will be evaluated by a specialist psychiatrist. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have worked with you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will be looking for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present from childhood. They will also look at other health conditions like thyroid or depression to determine if they can explain your symptoms.
After the assessment the Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to go with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you are not ready to take medication, you may ask your Psychiatrist an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and develop life skills. Joining a group of people with ADHD could be beneficial. They can be very supportive and reassuring.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have to struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. This can mean that they are self-conscious and can feel dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at work or with relationships. They can also feel that people don't get it and may become angry or bitter. There are many ways that you can seek help. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. These services are provided by many good organisations.
3. Get adhd diagnosis uk adults can be beneficial for a variety of people. This is particularly important if you have been misdiagnosed, or you have a condition like anxiety or depression that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health conditions and can provide an accurate understanding of what you are going through and how it is affecting your life.
It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in depth in order to determine whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can either self-refer or get a GP referral or schedule an appointment privately with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you do decide to take the self-referral route, it is recommended to gather any relevant information you have prior to your appointment, and noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different aspects of your life. You may also request the records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, looking at how they interfere with your daily activities and looking at any comorbidities present, including depression or anxiety. They will usually use questionnaires and a medical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they will then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the assistance you require including medication and psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It can also open the door to obtaining disability assistance such as Disabled Student allowance or reasonable adjustments in school or college.
4. Get a clinical evaluation
If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's impacting on your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is a lengthy procedure that involves speaking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and answering questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to review your school records, or talk to someone who was familiar with you as a child. This is because it's 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 most likely be offered a choice of which healthcare provider to see. This is because patients in England have a 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 use it on this page from ADHD UK.
You might be able get an assessment from your university when you are an undergraduate student. If they're willing to do this, then their report will be sufficient to get assistance with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students Allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you might want to look into getting an individual diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will assess whether your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment and may recommend medication or other therapies. They'll also likely talk about your long-term goal and any other concerns that you might have. They'll then decide what to do and send you back to visit your GP. In most instances, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to consider medication. They might also refer you to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased or not consider symptoms as serious. This can make it harder to obtain a diagnosis, however perseverance can pay off.
You will need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked why you believe that the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been going on for some period of time and are having an impact on your life. This could involve getting old school reports and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have been struggling in the past.
After your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to explore the possibility of taking medication. Usually, this will involve an agreement to share care with your GP which allows you to pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at pharmacies.
A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You'll need an NHS referral and a thorough assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of obtaining medication through this method.