How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or a child may have ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They will not diagnose you right away but they'll refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will take place with psychiatrists (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test your symptoms for ADHD. They can also help you receive DSA and make reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Talk to your GP
If you or your child have an issue with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the first step is to see your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe that you suffer from ADHD and will refer you to a specialist if necessary. It is advisable to bring some notes in writing with you to the appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family background and identifying any mental health issues that you or your family members may have experienced in the recent past. You may also be asked to complete several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will discuss with you medication options.
Adults often hide their symptoms, making it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to verify that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school records or letters from family. They'll also need to rule out other reasons for your issues like anxiety or depression.
If you have difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult to be faced with GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not aware of the science behind ADHD however perseverance is essential.
2. Ask for a referral
A medical diagnosis is required to receive Disability Living Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant the right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor might ask you to fill out a questionnaire that will be evaluated by a psychiatrist. They may also ask to consult with other professionals who have been around you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health issues like depression or thyroid issues to determine if they can explain your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This might include medication that can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care.
If you don't want to take medication or take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of psychological or occupational therapy. This can assist you in managing your symptoms and enhance your life skills. You might also find it useful to join a group for those suffering from ADHD. They can be reassuring and uplifting.
Many people suffering from ADHD have to be more efficient in their daily lives. This can result in low self-esteem, and frustration over their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel that people don't understand their situation and may become angry or angry or. There are many ways you can seek support. You can join online groups or go to meetings in person. adhd diagnosis uk adults are offered by many good organisations.
3. Get an opinion from a different source.
For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor is extremely beneficial. This is especially important if you have been misdiagnosed, or you have a condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health issues. They can help you understand what is happening to you and how it may be affecting your daily life.
It is crucial to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist as this can affect whether you have the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can self-refer or obtain an GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer it's best that you gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect various aspects of your life. You may also request a copy of your documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will look at the way they impact your daily activities, and look for any complications, like depression or anxiety. They will usually use questionnaires and a medical interview to determine a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the assistance you require including medication and psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It can also help you get disability assistance, like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments at school or college.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP believes that you may be suffering from ADHD and it is affecting your life in a significant way they will recommend a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves speaking to someone (often psychiatrists) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to see your school records or to talk to anyone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because it's not thought that ADHD can develop in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
You'll likely have the option of choosing a provider once you've been recommended. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental health providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to make use of it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
If you're a student you might be able to be assessed by your university. If they're happy to do this, then the report should be enough to qualify for assistance through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students Allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you - therefore, you may need to seek a private diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may recommend medication or other therapies. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what next and refer you back to your GP with an action plan. In the majority of cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to consider medication. They may also refer you to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the condition's presentation in adults. They might be biased or do not consider symptoms as serious. It can be challenging to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence pays off.
You'll need to go through a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. Only these professionals are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked your reasons for believing that your symptoms might be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for a long period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could include getting old school reports and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have suffered in the past.
After your clinical assessment You can discuss with your doctor if you would like to explore medication options. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP and you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through pharmacies.
A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this route, you will require a referral from the NHS and a thorough assessment of ADHD by a psychiatrist.