How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or your child could have ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They will not diagnose you right away however they will refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be with psychiatrists (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They'll also prepare an assessment report to assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk to your GP
The first thing you should do when you suspect that your child is suffering with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they believe you have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert, if required. It may be useful to take written notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history and also asking about any mental health issues you or your family members may have had in the past. You may be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and will also discuss treatment options with you.
Adults often conceal their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually want to see evidence that the symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out any other causes for your problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation with one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the scientific basis behind ADHD. But persistence is the key to success.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor may ask you to fill out the questionnaire which will be evaluated by a psychiatrist. They may also want to consult with other professionals who have worked with you, such as health professionals or teachers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that match those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since childhood. They will also examine other health conditions such as thyroid or depression to determine if they might be the cause of your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss the options for treatment with you following the examination. This could include medication, which is useful for many who have ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your psychiatrist may recommend you to your GP to discuss the care management.
If you don't want to take medication You can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of psychological or occupational therapy. This can help to reduce your symptoms and increase your life abilities. You may also find it useful to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be reassuring as well as supportive.
Many people suffering from ADHD must work harder to get by in their lives. This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel people don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are many ways to receive help. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. These services are provided by a variety of reputable organizations.
3. Get a second opinion
A second opinion is helpful for many people. This is especially important in the event that you've been misdiagnosed or if you have a condition like anxiety or depression that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues and can provide an accurate understanding of what you're going through and how it may be affecting your life.
It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in detail because it could affect whether you fit the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can either self-refer or obtain a GP referral or schedule an appointment privately with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer it's best that you gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect various aspects of your daily life. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk may also request the documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms, looking at how they interfere with your daily functioning and looking at any comorbidities that may be present, like depression or anxiety. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are usually used to determine an assessment. This is then followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the assistance you require like medication or psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also assist you to access support for disabled people, such as Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in school or college.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's affecting your life, they'll refer you for an assessment in a clinical setting. This is a lengthy procedure that involves speaking with someone (often psychiatrists) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to see your school records, or speak to anyone who knew 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 childhood.
Once you've been referred for an assessment, you'll likely be offered a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to make use of it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
You may be able to obtain an assessment from your school if you are an undergraduate student. If they're willing to do this, then the report will be sufficient to get assistance through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students 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 are causing you significant impairment and may suggest treatments such as medication or other. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to see your GP. In most cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to think about the possibility of medication 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, especially in the NHS are not aware of the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They could also be biased towards a diagnosis, or simply not consider the symptoms serious. This makes it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance pays off.
You'll need to go through a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. Only these healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to describe the reasons why you believe the symptoms you are experiencing might be related to ADHD. They'll be interested in knowing that your symptoms will last and have a significant impact on you. This could include getting old school records or asking family members to fill in forms detailing your struggles in the past.
Following your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore the possibility of taking medication. Usually, this will involve an agreement for shared-care with your GP which allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at a pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis may not necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll require an NHS referral and a thorough examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of receiving medication via this route.