How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They aren't able to diagnose you immediately, but they likely refer you to an assessment of your clinical needs.
This will be done with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test your symptoms for ADHD. They can also assist you to get DSA and reasonable adjustments by making reports.
1. Speak to your doctor
The first thing to do when you suspect that your child is suffering with ADHD is to visit your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD and they recommend you to an expert, if required. It might be beneficial to write down some notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment of ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues that you or your family may have had in the recent past. You may be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about the options for medication.
Adults often mask their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to verify that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school records or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation through one of the many 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 the key to success.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required to qualify for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines provide a right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor might require you to fill out the questionnaire which will be reviewed by a psychiatrist. They may also ask to consult with other professionals who have worked with you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will search for signs that match those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also consider whether other health conditions, such as thyroid or depression, could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist will discuss the options for treatment with you following the examination. This could include medication, which is helpful for many people with ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you back to your GP to manage shared care.
If you're not ready to take medication, your Psychiatrist can refer you for an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can help you reduce your symptoms and increase your life skills. Joining a support group of people suffering from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be reassuring and supportive.
Many people suffering from ADHD find they have to do more work than others to manage their day-to-day lives. This could mean they lack self-esteem and can feel frustrated by their lack of success in work or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and can be angry or resentful. There are many ways to seek out help. You can join online groups or go to meetings in person. These services are provided by many good organisations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
A second opinion is beneficial for a lot of people. This is especially important when you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like depression or anxiety that could coexist with ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can help you determine what's happening to you and how it may be affecting your daily life.
You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in detail in order to determine whether you fit the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can self-refer or get an GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you opt to self-refer it's recommended to gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, note down about adhd uk diagnosis experience and how they impact different areas of your daily life. You can also request that copies of your medical records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed analysis of your symptoms. They will look at how they affect your daily activities and also look for co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a clinical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the assistance you require like medication or psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It also opens the door to accessing disability-related assistance like Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments in the college or school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's significantly impacting on your life and your family, they'll recommend an assessment in a clinical setting. This is a lengthy process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to look over your school records or speak to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. This is due to the fact that it's not believed that ADHD develops in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll most likely be given a choice of which healthcare provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to utilize it on this page from ADHD UK.
If you're a student you might be able receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to do this, then the results should be enough to access support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student Allowance. They're not in a position to prescribe medication, so you might want to consider getting an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. He or she may recommend treatment with medication or other methods. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do and refer you back to see your GP. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion about whether you'd like to think about medication options and a referral to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS are not aware of how the condition presents in adults. They may be biased against a diagnosis, or simply not consider the symptoms serious. This can make it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance pays off.
You'll need to undergo a an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain your reasons for believing that the symptoms you are experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been going on for some time and are having a significant impact on your life. This could include getting old school reports and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've struggled in the past.
After your clinical evaluation You can discuss with your doctor if you would like to explore different options for your medication. Typically, this will require a shared-care agreement with your GP where you pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. You may also opt to have your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from pharmacies.
A private diagnosis won't be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You'll need an NHS referral as well as a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication through this route.