How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Talk to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will probably refer you for a clinical assessment.
This will be with an audiologist (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They can also assist you to get DSA and make reasonable adjustments by making an assessment report.
1. Talk to your GP
The first thing you need to do when you suspect that your child is suffering with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they believe you have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert if needed. It is advisable to bring some notes in writing with you to this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family might have faced in the past. You may be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will also discuss treatment options with you.
It is crucial to recognize that it can be a challenge for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD because they have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically want to see evidence that the symptoms are causing significant impairment - this typically involves old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also want to rule out any other possible causes of your problems, such as depression or anxiety.
If adhd diagnosis are having difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment with one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who aren't aware of the scientific basis behind ADHD. However, persistence is the key to success.
2. Ask for a referral
A medical diagnosis is required in order to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor may request you to complete a questionnaire that will be reviewed by a psychiatrist. They may also consult with other professionals who have been around you - for example, teachers or health workers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that match those of ADHD in adults and have been present since the age of. They will also examine other health issues like depression or thyroid issues to determine if they can explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss the options for treatment with you following the examination. This could include medication, which is helpful for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you back to your GP to manage shared care.
If you do not want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. You might also find it useful to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD need to struggle to make ends meet in their lives. This can lead to low self-esteem, and frustration with their lack of accomplishment at work or in relationships. They can also feel that other people don't understand them and be angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways to receive support. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. These services are provided by a variety of reputable organizations.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion can be beneficial for a lot of people. This is particularly important in the event that you've been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can provide a clear understanding of what you're experiencing and how it could be impacting your life.
It is essential to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist as this will determine if you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can either self-refer or obtain a GP referral or book an appointment privately with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you opt to self-refer it's best to gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect various aspects of your life. You may also request that copies of your medical documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed assessment of your symptoms. They will assess how they affect your daily activities and will look for comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. A clinical interview and questionnaires are usually used to arrive at an assessment. This is then followed by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy. It could also open the doors to accessing disability-related assistance like Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and believes that it is affecting your life in a significant way, they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This is a thorough procedure that involves speaking with someone (often a psychiatrist) 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 due to the fact that it's not believed 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 have the choice of selecting the provider after you've been recommended. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is referred to as 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 university in case you're an undergraduate student. If they're willing to do this, then their report should be enough to qualify for assistance through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you - so you may want to consider obtaining a private diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. He or she might recommend medications or other treatments. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you may have. Then, they'll make a choice on what to do next and will send you back to your GP with plans. In most instances doctors will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd prefer to take medication. They might be able to refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand the signs and symptoms that are seen in adults. They could be biased or not take the symptoms seriously. This can make it harder to obtain a diagnosis, but persistence will pay off.
You will need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to explain why you're experiencing symptoms and why you think they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for an extended period of time and have an impact on your life. This could involve finding old school records and asking family to fill out forms detailing your issues in the past.
Following your clinical assessment, you will be able to discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP which allows you to pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You can also opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from pharmacies.
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 need an NHS referral and a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of receiving medication through this method.