How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They won't diagnose you immediately however they will refer you to a medical assessment.
This will be with an audiologist (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate you for ADHD. They can also assist you to receive DSA and other reasonable adjustments by writing an assessment report.
1. Talk to your GP
If you or your child is suffering from an issue with ADHD the first step is to consult your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe that you are suffering from ADHD and will refer you to a specialist in the event of need. It might be beneficial to write down some notes during this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that can take between 45 and 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and asking about your family history and any other mental health issues you or your family members have had in the past. You might be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you treatment options.
It's important to realise that it can be difficult for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD since they've learnt how to mask their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to verify that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family. They'll also want to rule out other causes for your issues, like depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment with one of the numerous providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who don't know the scientific basis behind ADHD. But perseverance is the key to success.
2. Ask for a referral
A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor might require you to fill out a questionnaire that will be assessed by psychiatrists. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have known you, for example, teachers or healthcare workers. They will be looking for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also consider whether other health conditions, such as thyroid or depression might be the cause of your symptoms.
After the evaluation the Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This might include medication that can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss the management of your care.
If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist can suggest an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve life skills. You may also find it useful to join a group for those suffering from ADHD. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find they have to do more work than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This can cause low self-esteem and anger about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel people don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are many ways you can get 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
For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor can be very helpful. This is especially important if you have been misdiagnosed, or you have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can give you an understanding of the issues you're experiencing and how it could be affecting your life.
It is important that you discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist as this will determine if you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This can be done by self-referring or obtaining a GP referral, or you can 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 recommended that you gather any supporting documentation you have prior to your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your daily life. You can also request a copy of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to when you see them.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will examine the way they impact your daily activities, and look for any complications, like depression or anxiety. They typically employ questionnaires and a medical interview to establish a diagnosis which they then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD will allow you to receive the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy. It can also assist you to access disability support like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in school or college.
4. Take a medical assessment
If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's impacting on your life, they'll refer you for an assessment. This is a lengthy process that involves talking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to see your school records or talk to someone who knew you as a child. This is because ADHD is not believed to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms since childhood.
Once you've been referred for an assessment, you'll likely be offered a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. 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 called Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to use it on this page by ADHD UK.
You may be able to get an assessment from your university in case you're studying there. If they are willing to provide it the report will be sufficient to get assistance from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you - so you may want to seek a private diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. He or she might recommend medication or other treatments. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you may have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what next and return you to your GP with a plan. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to think about the possibility of medication and a referral back to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS, lack understanding of how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased against a diagnosis, or simply not take the symptoms seriously. This makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance can pay off.
You'll need to go through a an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. Only these healthcare experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to explain why you are struggling with the symptoms and the reason you believe they might be caused by ADHD. Full File will be interested in knowing that your symptoms will last and have a significant effect on your. This could involve finding old school records and asking family members to fill in forms regarding your past struggles.
After your clinical assessment You can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore medication options. This usually involves an agreement to share care with your GP which will allow you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also opt to get 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). To receive medication through this method, you'll require a referral from the NHS and a full assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.