How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Talk to your GP If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to an assessment in the clinic.
adhd diagnosis adult uk will be done with a psychiatrist or psychologist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They'll also prepare an assessment report to help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you or your child have an issue with ADHD the first step is to visit your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe you have ADHD and refer you to a specialist if necessary. It may be helpful to bring a few notes with you to this appointment.
Your GP should then send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues that you or your family members may have had in the recent past. You might also be asked to complete some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will discuss with you medication options.
It is crucial to recognize that it can be a challenge for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD because they have learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will usually want to see evidence that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is often done through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also want to rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
If you are having difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment through one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult to be faced with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science of ADHD, but persistence is key.
2. Ask for a reference
A clinical diagnosis is required in order to qualify for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines give you a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely require you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be evaluated by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have known you, like teachers or healthcare workers. They will look for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also look at other health issues like thyroid issues or depression to determine if they might explain your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which can be helpful for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your psychiatrist may recommend you to your GP to share the care management.
If you don't want to take medication or take medication, you could ask your Psychiatrist to provide an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This can aid in managing your symptoms and enhance your life skills. You might also find it beneficial to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be very helpful and comforting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find they have to do more work than others to manage their day-to-day lives. This can mean that they have low self-esteem and can feel unhappy with their lack of success in work or with relationships. They may also feel that others don't understand them and may become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways to get support. You can join online groups or meet in person. There are a lot of excellent organizations that provide these services.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion is helpful for many people. This is especially important when you've been misdiagnosed, or you suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can offer an accurate understanding of what you're going through and how it may be impacting your life.
It is crucial to discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist, since this can affect whether you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can do this by self-referring or obtaining a GP referral, or you can go private and book an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you choose to self-refer it's best to gather any supporting documentation you have prior to your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact different areas of your daily life. You may also request that copies of your medical records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms, examining the ways they affect your daily life and looking at any comorbidities that may be present, including depression or anxiety. They will usually use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to establish a diagnosis which they'll follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the assistance you require like medication or psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It could also open the doors to accessing disability-related assistance such as Disabled Student allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP believes that you have ADHD and believes that it affects your life in a significant way they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is typically a thorough process that involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to see your school records or speak to someone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because it's not thought that ADHD can develop in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll most likely be offered a choice of which provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to utilize it on this webpage from ADHD UK.
You may be able to obtain an assessment from your university in case you're an undergraduate student. If they're willing to do so, their report is sufficient to receive help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you may need to seek an individual diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. He or she may recommend medication or other treatments. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to your GP. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion about whether you'd like to look into medication options and a recommendation to your GP for this to happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the signs and symptoms that are seen in adults. They may be biased or do not take the symptoms seriously. It can be challenging to establish a correct diagnosis. Persistence pays off.
You'll need a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to describe how you're experiencing symptoms and why you think they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been going on for an extended period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could include getting old school records or asking your family members to fill out forms about your struggles in the past.
After your clinical assessment you'll be able to discuss whether you want to look into alternative medication options. This is usually an agreement to share care with your GP, where you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through the pharmacy.
A private diagnosis will not suffice to be eligible for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You will require an NHS referral and a thorough assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of receiving medication via this route.