How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or a child may be suffering from ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They can't diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to an assessment of your clinical needs.
This will be with psychiatrists (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess your symptoms for ADHD. They'll also prepare an assessment report that will help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk to your doctor
The first thing to do if you or your child has a problem with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they believe you have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert. It may be helpful to bring some written notes with you to this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. The process should take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family may have experienced in the recent past. You might be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about the options for medication.
It's important to realise that it can be difficult for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD as they often have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically 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 will also need to rule out any other causes for your issues, such as anxiety or depression.
If you are having difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment through one of the many providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. But persistence is essential.
2. Ask for a referral
A medical diagnosis is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may require you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be reviewed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They might also request to speak to other professionals that have known you, such as healthcare professionals or teachers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also look into whether other health conditions like depression or thyroid problems might be the cause of your symptoms.
After the evaluation, your Psychiatrist will talk with you about possible treatment options. This might include medication which could be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss care management.
If you do not want to take medication You can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This can help to manage your symptoms and improve your life skills. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD can be helpful. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find they have to be more arduous than other people to manage their day-to-day lives. This can mean they have low self-esteem and can feel unhappy with their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that others don't understand their situation and may become angry or bitter. There are many ways to get support. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are a lot of organizations that provide these services.
3. Get a second opinion
A second opinion can be beneficial for a variety of people. This is particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed, or if you have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health conditions. They can help you determine what's happening to you and how it could affect your daily routine.
You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in detail because it could affect whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this by self-referring or obtaining a 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-referral, it is a good idea to gather any supporting information you may have prior to your appointment, as well as noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You can also request that the documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms, looking at how they impact your daily activities and examining any comorbidities that may be present, including anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to determine a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the help you require, such as medication and psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It can also open the doors to accessing disability support like Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments to the college or school.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's significantly affecting your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves talking with someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to examine your school records or talk to anyone who knows you as a child. This is because it's believed that ADHD can develop in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll likely be given the option of the provider you'd like to visit. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK.
You may be able to obtain an assessment from your school in case you're a student. If they're willing to do this, then the results should be enough to access assistance through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you - therefore, you might want to seek an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine if your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. They might recommend treatment with medication or other methods. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you may have. They'll decide on what to do next and send you back to visit your GP. In the majority of cases the diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to think about medication options and a referral back to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS, lack understanding of how ADHD manifests in adults. They could also be biased against the diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. check this site out could make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence will pay off.
You'll need to undergo a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals to 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 will be interested to know that your symptoms last for a long time and have a significant effect on your. This could include finding old school records and asking family members to fill in forms about your issues in the past.
After your clinical assessment, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to explore different options for your medication. This is usually 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 get your diagnosis done privately and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
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 evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication through this route.