How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Speak to your GP If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They will not diagnose you immediately however they will refer you to a medical assessment.
This will be done with a psychiatrist or psychologist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll examine your ADHD. They can also write an assessment report that will assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk to your GP
If you or your child have issues with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first step is to see your GP. If they believe you have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert, if required. It might be helpful to take some written notes for this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process should take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family may have faced in the past. You might be asked to fill out several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about the options for medication.
Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to see proof that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also need to rule out other causes for your problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the numerous providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. However, persistence is key.
2. Ask for a reference
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 a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP will likely request you to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The results will be assessed by a specialist psychiatrist. They may also ask you to speak to other professionals that have been around you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also investigate whether other health issues, such as thyroid or depression may be causing your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about the treatment options available. This could include medications which could be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss 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 can aid in managing your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group of people who suffer from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD discover that they must do more work than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This can cause low self-esteem and anger over their lack of success at work or in relationships. www.iampsychiatry.uk might also feel that they aren't understood by others and feel angry or bitter. There are many ways you can get support. You can join online groups or meet in person. These services are provided by numerous reputable organizations.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion can be beneficial for a lot of people. This is especially true if you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that may be co-existent with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health conditions and can give you an accurate understanding of what you're experiencing and how it may be affecting your life.
You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in depth because it could affect whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can self-refer or get an GP referral or schedule an appointment privately with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you do decide to take the self-referral route, it is a good idea to gather any relevant information you have prior to your appointment, as well as making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different areas of your 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 assessment of your symptoms. They will look at the way they impact your daily activities and will look for co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. A clinical interview and questionnaires are commonly used to determine a diagnosis. This is followed up by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the support you need including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance like Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP believes that you may be suffering from ADHD and believes that it is affecting your life in a significant manner they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves speaking to someone (often psychiatrists) and answering questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to see your school records or talk to someone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because ADHD isn't believed to develop in adults, and they'll need to confirm your symptoms from your childhood.
You'll likely be offered the option to choose the provider after you've been referred. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you can find information on how to use it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
You might be able get an assessment from your school when you are a student. If they're happy to do this, then the report should be enough to access support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance. They won't be in the position to prescribe medication, so you may be able to get an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may recommend treatments such as medication or other. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what next and return you to your GP with an action plan. In most cases, a doctor will identify ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd like to consider medication. They may also refer you to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
It isn't easy to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased or do not take the symptoms seriously. This can make it harder to obtain a diagnosis, however perseverance can pay off.
You will need a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these healthcare professionals are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to explain why you are struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been recurring for some period of time and are having a significant impact on your life. This may include finding old school records and asking family to fill out forms regarding your past struggles.
Following your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to investigate the possibility of taking medication. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP and you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You may also opt to have your diagnosis done privately and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
It's important to note that a private diagnosis will not necessarily be enough to access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll need an NHS referral and a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication via this route.