How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to diagnose you right there and then but will likely refer you to a clinical assessment.
This is done by a psychiatrist or psychologist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll assess your ADHD. They can also write an assessment report to help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk to your GP
The first thing you need to do if you or your child has a problem with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe that you are suffering from ADHD and will refer you to a specialist in the event of need. You may find it helpful to take some written notes during this appointment.
Your GP should then send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment of your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It will involve examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and looking into your family history, as well as any other mental health issues you or your family members suffered from in the past. You might be asked to complete several questionnaires. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will decide whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about treatment options.
It's important to realise that it is difficult for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD as they often have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to verify that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family. They'll also have to rule out other causes for your issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment through one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating to be faced with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science behind ADHD, but persistence is key.
2. Ask for a referral
A clinical diagnosis is needed to qualify for Disability Living Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines provide a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may request you to complete the questionnaire which will be evaluated by psychiatrists. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have known you, such as 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 look at other health conditions such as thyroid issues or depression to determine if they might explain your symptoms.
After the evaluation Your Psychiatrist will speak to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which can be beneficial for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to share the management of your care.
If you don't want 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 of people suffering from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people with ADHD find they have to be more arduous than other people to get through their day-to-day lives. This can mean that they have low self-esteem and can feel frustrated by their lack of success in work or in relationships. They might also feel they aren't understood by others and may become angry or bitter. However, there are many ways to seek out help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. These services are offered by a variety of reputable organizations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
A second opinion can be helpful for many people. This can be particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like depression or anxiety that could be co-existent with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health disorders and can provide a clear understanding of what you are going through and how it is affecting your life.
You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist thoroughly in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this 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 opt to self-refer it's best that you gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect different areas of your daily life. You may also request the records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily activities, and look for any complications, like anxiety or depression. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are usually used to establish an assessment. This is then followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the support you need including medication and psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It also opens the door to accessing disability support, such as Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's affecting your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. It's usually a thorough process which involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to see your school records, or speak to anyone who knew you well as an infant. This is because it's not thought that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
You'll likely be given the option to choose a provider once you've been advised. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to make use of it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
You may be able to get an assessment from your school in case you're studying there. If they're happy to do this, then their report should be enough to qualify for support through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance. They won't be in a position to prescribe medication, so you may want to consider getting an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment and may recommend medication or other therapies. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you might have. They'll then decide what to do and send you back to see your GP. In the majority of instances doctors will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd like to think about taking medication. They may be able to refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
It isn't easy to obtain an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS lack understanding of the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They might be biased or don't consider symptoms as serious. It is sometimes difficult to get a proper diagnosis. Persistence is rewarded.
You'll need to go through a an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to describe how you're experiencing symptoms and the reason you believe they may be caused by ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for some time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This may include finding old school records and asking family members to fill in forms regarding your struggles in the past.
Following your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you'd like to explore different options for your medication. This usually involves a shared care agreement with your GP which will allow you to be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. You can also opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through a pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis may not necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this route, you'll require a referral from the NHS and a full evaluation of ADHD by psychiatrist.
