How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or your child could have ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right away however they will refer you to a medical assessment.
This will be done with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They'll also prepare a report that'll assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you or your child is suffering from a problem with ADHD the first step is to consult your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It may be helpful to take some written notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family members may have faced in the past. You may be asked to fill out several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you.
Adults often conceal their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will typically want to see evidence that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is often done through old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out other causes for your issues, like depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private assessment with one of the numerous services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be a hassle to be faced with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science of ADHD however perseverance is the key to success.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required to receive Disability Living Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may ask you to fill out an assessment form that will be reviewed by a psychiatrist. They may also ask you to consult with other professionals who have known you, for example, teachers or healthcare workers. They will be looking for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present from childhood. They will also investigate whether other health conditions like thyroid issues or depression may be causing your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss treatment options with you after the assessment. This could include medications which could be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to share the care management.
If you do not want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group of people with ADHD could be beneficial. They can be reassuring as well as supportive.
Many people who suffer from ADHD must struggle to make ends meet in their lives. This can mean that they have low self-esteem and can be unhappy with their lack of success in the workplace or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and may be angry or bitter. There are many ways you can get support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are offered by many good organisations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
For many people, getting a second opinion can be very helpful. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed, or you have a medical condition such as depression or anxiety that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to understand what is happening to you and how it could be impacting your daily life.
It is essential to discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist, since this will determine if you meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referring or obtaining an GP referral or make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you do decide to go through the self-referral process, it is a good idea to gather any supporting information you might have before your appointment, as well as making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different aspects of your life. You can also ask for copies of your medical records to be sent to the psychiatrist prior to when you meet with them.
ADHD Diagnosis in adult ADHD will give a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily life and will look for complications, like anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to reach a diagnosis, which they will then follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the support you need to manage your symptoms, which includes psychotherapy and medication. It also opens the door to accessing disability support like Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments to the college or school.
4. Take a medical assessment
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's impacting your life, they'll refer you for an assessment. This is typically a thorough process that involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to look over your school records, or talk to someone who knew you as 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 were present from childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll most likely be offered a choice of which healthcare provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right to select their mental health providers and also their local NHS trust. You can find useful information on how to utilize this tool from ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose.
If you're a student you may be able to get an assessment through your university. If they're happy to do this, then the report should be enough to access assistance 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 psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. They may recommend treatment with medication or other methods. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you may have. They'll then decide what to do next and send you back to visit your GP. In the majority of cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to consider medication. They may also refer you to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS lack understanding of the condition's presentation in adults. They could be biased or do not consider symptoms as serious. This could make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence pays off.
You will need to have an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. Only these experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to explain why you're 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 some period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could include obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill in reports on how you've struggled in the past.
After your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you'd like to investigate the possibility of taking medication. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP which will allow you to be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. You may also opt to make your diagnosis privately and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis will not necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this method, you'll require a referral from NHS and a complete assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.