How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but likely refer you to an assessment of your clinical needs.
This will be with an audiologist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test your symptoms for ADHD. They can also assist you to get DSA and make reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Talk with your doctor
The first thing you need to do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe that you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It is advisable to bring some notes in writing with you to this appointment.
Your GP should then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. behavioral observations can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family background, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family may have faced in the recent past. You may be asked to complete several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will also discuss treatment options with you.
It is important to realize that it can be difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD as they often have learnt how to mask their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically want to see evidence that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This typically involves old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the numerous 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 key.
2. Request a recommendation
A diagnosis from a doctor is required to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines give you the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor might require you to fill out an assessment form that will be reviewed by psychiatrists. They might also speak to other professionals who have been around you - such as health professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also consider whether other health conditions like thyroid or depression, could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist might discuss treatment options with you after the examination. This could include medication that can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to go with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP for shared care management.
If you do not want to take medication You can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This can help you manage your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. Joining a support group of people who suffer from ADHD could be beneficial. They can be very helpful and comforting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD discover that they must work harder than others to live their daily lives. This can result in low self-esteem, and frustration with their lack of accomplishment at work or in relationships. They may also feel that others don't understand them and can become angry or bitter. There are many ways you can seek help. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by a variety of reputable organizations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
For many, getting an additional opinion can be very helpful. This is especially true in the event that you've been misdiagnosed or if you have a condition like anxiety or depression that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing mental health conditions and can offer an accurate understanding of what you're going through and how it is impacting your life.
It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in detail in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this by self-referral or a GP referral or make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer it's best to gather any documentation you have prior to your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect different areas of your daily life. You can also request a copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. see them.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed analysis of your symptoms. They will look at the way they impact your daily functioning and also look for co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to determine a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the support you need including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It could also open the door to accessing disability support like Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments at college or at school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's impacting your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. It's usually a thorough process which involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to see your school records or to talk to anyone who knows you as an infant. This is because it's not thought that ADHD develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
If you've been referred to an assessment you'll probably be offered a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. You can find useful information about how to use this tool at ADHD UK. It is known as Right to Choose.
If you're a student you might be able be assessed by your university. If they're willing to do so the report will be sufficient to get assistance from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They're not in the position to prescribe medications, so you might be able to get an independent diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. They might suggest treatment with medication or other methods. They will also likely discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you may have. Then they'll make a decision about what to do next and refer you back to your GP with a plan. In most 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 make this happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of adult ADHD. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They may be biased or not take the symptoms seriously. This could make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis, however perseverance will pay off.
You will need to have an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. Only these professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain why you believe that the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been going on for a long time and are having an impact on your life. This could mean getting old school reports and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have struggled in the past.
Following your clinical assessment, you'll be able discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. Most likely, this will be an agreement to share care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at pharmacies.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis may not necessarily be enough to access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You will need an NHS referral as well as a full assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication through this method.