How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult your GP if you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They won't diagnose you immediately however they will refer you to a medical assessment.
This will be with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess your symptoms for ADHD. They can also write a report that'll help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you or your child have an issue with ADHD, the first step is to see your GP. If they believe you have ADHD, they will refer you to an expert. It may be useful to take written notes for this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues that you or your family might have faced in the recent past. You might be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and will also discuss treatment options with you.
Adults often mask their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to see proof that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family. They'll also have to rule out other reasons for your difficulties like anxiety or depression.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, you may want to consider a private assessment. There are a variety of providers on the Right to Choose site. It can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who don't know the scientific basis behind ADHD. But persistence is key.
2. Ask for a reference
A medical diagnosis is required to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor may ask you to fill out the questionnaire which will be evaluated by a psychiatrist. They might also talk to other professionals who have known you - such as health professionals or teachers. They will look for signs that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also consider other health conditions such as thyroid issues or depression to see if they could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss the options for treatment with you following the assessment. This could include medication, which can be useful for many who have ADHD. If you decide to go with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you do not want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and improve your life skills. Joining a support group of people suffering from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be very helpful and comforting.
Many people with ADHD have to struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. This can lead to low self-esteem and anger over their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel other people don't understand them and be angry or resentful. There are many ways you can seek support. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. These services are provided by numerous reputable organizations.
3. Get another opinion
For many, getting an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. adhd diagnosis uk adults can be particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like anxiety or depression that could coexist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health conditions and can offer a clear understanding of what you're going through and how it is impacting your life.
It is crucial to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist, since this will determine if you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referring or obtaining an GP referral or make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you do decide to go through the self-referral process, it is a good idea to gather any supporting information you have prior to your appointment, and making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different areas of your life. You can also ask for copies of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to when you meet with them.
A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily functioning, and look for any complications, like depression or anxiety. A clinical interview and questionnaires are typically used to establish a diagnosis. This is then followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the support you need to manage your symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy. It can also help you access disability support such as Disabled Student's Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP thinks you might be suffering from ADHD and believes that it is affecting your life in a significant manner then they'll refer you to a medical assessment. This is a comprehensive procedure that involves speaking with someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to see your school records or talk to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. This is because it's believed that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood.
If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll likely be given a choice of which healthcare provider to see. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers and their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to use it on this page by ADHD UK.
You may be able to obtain an assessment from your school if you are an undergraduate student. If they're happy to do this, then the results will be sufficient to get assistance with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you - therefore, you may need to look into getting a private diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. He or she might suggest medications or other treatments. They'll also likely talk about your long-term goals as well as any other concerns that you might have. Then, they'll make a choice regarding what next and refer you back to your GP with an action plan. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you want to consider medications and a recommendation to your GP to make this happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS lack understanding of the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They could be biased against an diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This makes it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance will pay off.
You'll need a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse, or psychiatrist. Only these experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked the reasons why you believe the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will be interested to know that your symptoms are long-lasting and have a significant impact on you. This may include finding old school records and asking family to fill out forms about your past struggles.
Following your clinical assessment, you'll be able discuss whether you want to think about alternative medications. This is usually a shared care agreement with your GP, where you will be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis may not necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this route, you will require a referral from NHS and a thorough evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.