How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child could have ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They will not diagnose you right away, but they will recommend a clinical assessment.
This will take place with psychiatrists (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report that will aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk with your doctor
The first thing to do if you or your child has a problem with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able to determine whether they think that you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. It might be beneficial to bring some written notes with you to the appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment of your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that will take between 45 and 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and seeking out your family history, and any other mental health issues you or your family members been through in the past. You may be asked to complete several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about treatment options.
It is important to realize that it is difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD because they have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will usually need evidence that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also have to rule out other reasons for your issues such as anxiety or depression.
If adhd diagnosis uk adults having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment with one of the many providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be a hassle to have to deal with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who don't know the science behind ADHD however persistence is key.
2. Ask for a referral
A medical diagnosis is required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines provide the right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely request you to fill out the questionnaire, which will be evaluated by a specialist psychiatrist. They may also ask to consult with other professionals who have worked with you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will be looking for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also examine other health issues like depression or thyroid issues to determine if they can be the cause of your symptoms.
After the test, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This could include medications which could be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you to your GP to manage shared care.
If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist can suggest an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This will assist you in managing your symptoms and enhance your the quality of your life. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be very helpful and reassuring.
Many people suffering from ADHD must work harder to get by in their lives. This could mean they are self-conscious and can feel unhappy with their lack of success in work or in relationships. They might also feel people don't get it and be angry or resentful. However, there are many ways to get help. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are many good organisations that offer these services.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion is beneficial for a lot of people. This is especially important when you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like anxiety or depression that may coexist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in the diagnosis of mental health disorders and can give you an understanding of the issues you're experiencing and how it is affecting your life.
You should discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in depth in order to determine whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can either self-refer or obtain an GP referral or make an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you choose to self-referral it is a good idea to gather any information you may have prior to your appointment, as well as noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different areas of your life. You may also request copies of your medical documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily life and also look for co-morbidities, such as depression or anxiety. A clinical interview and questionnaires are commonly used to establish the diagnosis. This is followed up by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the help you require including medication and psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It can also open the door to accessing disability-related assistance such as Disabled Student' Allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college.
4. Take a medical assessment
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's significantly affecting your life and your family, they'll recommend an assessment. This is typically a extensive process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also want to see your school records or speak to someone who knew you as a child. This is because ADHD is not thought to manifest in adults, and they'll need to confirm your symptoms from the age of a child.
If you've been referred to an assessment you'll probably be given the option of which provider to see. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. There is a wealth of information on how to use this tool on ADHD UK. It is known as Right to Choose.
You may be able to obtain an assessment from your university if you are studying there. If they're willing to take the initiative, their report will be enough to qualify for help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you - therefore, you might want to seek an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment and may suggest treatment or other options. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you may have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what following that and refer you back to your GP with a plan. In most cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you'd like to think about medications and a recommendation to your GP to make this happen.
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 the diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. This makes it harder to obtain a diagnosis, but persistence pays off.
You'll need to undergo a an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to describe your reasons for believing that the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for some period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could involve obtaining old school records and asking family members to fill in forms detailing your issues in the past.
After your clinical assessment you'll be able to discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. This will usually involve a shared care agreement with your GP, where you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You can also choose to make your diagnosis privately, and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
A private diagnosis won't suffice to be eligible for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You'll require an NHS referral as well as a full evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of receiving medication through this method.