How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They will not diagnose you right away but they'll refer you to a medical assessment.
This will be with a psychiatrist (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess your symptoms for ADHD. They can also help you obtain DSA and make reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you or your child is suffering from an issue with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the first step is to visit your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD they will refer you to an expert. It is advisable to bring a few notes with you to this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process should take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family might have faced in the recent past. You may be asked to fill out several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you.
Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will typically want to see evidence that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment. This is often done through old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out other possible causes of your problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble finding a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may think about a private assessment. There are a number of options available on the Right to Choose site. It can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who don't understand the science behind ADHD. But perseverance is essential.
2. Request a recommendation
A clinical diagnosis is required to qualify for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely require you to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The results will be reviewed by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also ask to speak to other professionals that have been around you, like teachers or healthcare workers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also examine other health conditions such as thyroid issues or depression to determine if they might be the cause of your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which is helpful for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care.
If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist can suggest an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. You might also find it beneficial to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be very helpful and reassuring.
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 low self-esteem and anger about their lack of success at work or in relationships. adhd diagnosis in adults might also feel other people don't understand them and can 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 important if you have been misdiagnosed or if you suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to discover what's happening to you and how it could be impacting your daily life.
It is important that you discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist, since it can impact whether you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can either self-refer or request a GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD.
If you choose to self-refer, it's a good idea to gather any supporting documentation you have prior to your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect different areas of your daily life. You may also request a copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. meet with them.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms, looking at how they interfere with your daily activities and examining any comorbidities that might be present, like anxiety or depression. They typically employ questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to reach a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the help you require including medication and psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It also opens the door to accessing disability-related assistance such as Disabled Student' Allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's significantly impacting on your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is usually a fairly 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 as an infant. This is because ADHD is not believed to develop in adults, and they'll be required to confirm your symptoms since your childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment you'll probably be offered a choice of which healthcare provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right to select their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to use it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
If you're a student you might be able be assessed by your university. If they're willing to provide it the report is sufficient to receive 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 might want to seek a private diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. They may recommend medication or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns that you may have. Then, they'll make a choice about what to do next and will send you back to your GP with a plan. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you want to consider the possibility of medication and a referral to your GP for this to happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand how ADHD manifests in adults. They may be biased or not consider symptoms as serious. This can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off.
You'll need an assessment by a specialist psychologist, specialist nurse, or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to explain how you're struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they may be caused by ADHD. They will want to know that your symptoms will last and have a significant impact on your. This could involve collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill in the forms detailing how you've struggled in the past.
Following your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to investigate different options for your medication. This is usually a shared care agreement with your GP, where you will pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also have your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from pharmacies.
A private diagnosis won't be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You will need an NHS referral and a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of getting medication via this route.