How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Speak to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They will not diagnose you immediately however they will recommend a clinical assessment.
This will take place with a psychiatrist (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They can also help you get DSA and other reasonable adjustments by making reports.
1. Talk to your GP
If you or your child is suffering from a problem with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first step is to see your GP. If adult adhd diagnosis adhddiagnosis.top suspect you may have ADHD they will refer you to an expert if needed. It may be helpful to take some written notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment of ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues that you or your family may have experienced in the past. You might be asked to complete a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then 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 identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually require evidence to prove that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment - this is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out other reasons for your issues such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation through one of the many providers on offer through 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. Request a recommendation
A clinical diagnosis is required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines give you the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor may ask you to fill out a questionnaire that will be evaluated by psychiatrists. They may also ask you to talk to other professionals who have known you, like healthcare professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present from childhood. They will also consider other health issues like thyroid issues or depression to determine if they might be the cause of your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist might discuss possible treatment options with you following the evaluation. This could include medication, which is helpful for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend you to your GP to share care management.
If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This will help you reduce your symptoms and increase your life skills. Joining a support group for people who suffer from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people suffering from ADHD find that they need to be more arduous than other people to live their daily lives. This could mean they have low self-esteem and may be frustrated by their lack of success at work or with relationships. They might also feel they aren't understood by others and become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways you can get support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are many organizations that provide these services.
3. Get a second opinion
For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor can be very helpful. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like depression or anxiety that could co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing mental health disorders and can provide an understanding of the issues you're going through and how it is affecting your life.
It is important that you discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist, as this will determine if you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referral or an GP referral or make an appointment with a private doctor and schedule an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer, it's a good idea to gather any supporting documentation you have prior to your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect various aspects of your life. You can also request an official copy of your medical records to be sent to the psychiatrist before you see them.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, including the ways they affect your daily functioning and assessing any comorbidities present, such as anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a medical interview 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 like medication or psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It can also assist you to get disability assistance, such as Disabled Student's Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP believes that you have ADHD, and that it affects your life in a significant way then they'll refer you to a medical assessment. This is usually a fairly thorough process that involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling in questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to examine your school records or to speak to anyone who knew you as an infant. It's because ADHD is not thought to manifest in adults, and they'll need to confirm your symptoms from childhood.
If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll most likely be given a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK.
If you're a student, you might be able get an assessment through your university. If they're willing to allow this, then the report should be enough to access support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance. They're not in the position to prescribe medications, so you might want to consider getting an individual diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. He or she might recommend treatment with medication or other methods. 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 refer you back to your GP with a plan. In most cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd like to think about taking medication. They may also refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to get an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how ADHD manifests in adults. They might also be biased towards an diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. It can be challenging to establish a correct diagnosis. Persistence pays off.
You will need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to explain how you are struggling with the symptoms and why you think they may be caused by ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been going on for a long period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could include getting old school records or asking your family members to fill out forms about your struggles in the past.
Following your clinical assessment, you'll be able decide if you would like to think about alternative medications. This is usually an agreement to share care with your GP and you will pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also have your diagnosis done privately and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
It's important to note that a private diagnosis won't necessarily be enough to access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll require an NHS referral and a thorough assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of getting medication through this method.