How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to an assessment in the clinic.
This will be conducted with an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They can also write an assessment report that will assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk to your GP
The first thing you should do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able determine whether they think that you suffer from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It might be beneficial to write down some notes for this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and also asking about any mental health issues you or your family might have faced in the recent past. You may be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and will go over medication options with you.
It is crucial to recognize that it is difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD as they often have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will need to see proof that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done through old school records or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out other causes for your issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may want to consider an individual assessment. There are a number of providers on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the science behind ADHD. But perseverance is key.
2. Ask for a reference
A clinical diagnosis is needed to receive 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 will likely ask you to complete a questionnaire, which will be assessed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also want to speak to other professionals who have worked with you - such as teachers or health workers. They will look for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. helpful site will also consider other health conditions like thyroid or depression to see if they could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist will discuss possible treatment options with you following the assessment. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to go with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care.
If you do not want to take medication or take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can help you reduce your symptoms and increase your life abilities. Joining a support group of people suffering from ADHD can be helpful. They can be extremely supportive and comforting.
Many people who suffer from ADHD discover that they must be more arduous than other people to manage their day-to-day lives. This can mean that they are self-conscious and can be dissatisfied with their lack of success at work or with relationships. They might also feel that others don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are many ways that you can get support. You can join online groups or meet in person. There are many excellent organizations that provide these services.
3. Get another opinion
For many, getting a second opinion can be very helpful. This is especially true if you have been misdiagnosed, or you have a condition such as depression or anxiety that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can give you an understanding of the issues you're experiencing and how it may be affecting your life.
It is essential to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist, since this will determine if you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can self-refer or obtain an GP referral or schedule an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you 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 also noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You may also request that a copy of your documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms, including how they impact your daily activities and examining any comorbidities present, including anxiety or depression. They will usually use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to reach a diagnosis, which they will then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the support you need to manage your symptoms, which includes psychotherapy and medication. It can also open the door to obtaining disability assistance like Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments at the college or school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP believes that you have ADHD and it is affecting your life in a significant way they will recommend a clinical assessment. This is usually a fairly extensive process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to examine your school records or talk to anyone who knew you as an infant. It's because ADHD isn't believed to develop in adults, and they'll need to confirm your symptoms from childhood.
Once you've been referred for an assessment, you'll most likely be given a choice of which provider to see. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to use it on this page from ADHD UK.
You might be able get an assessment from your school when you are studying there. If they're willing to do so, their report is sufficient to receive support from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They won't be 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. He or she might suggest medication or other treatments. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do next and send you back to your GP. In most instances, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would prefer to take medication. They may be able to refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
It isn't easy to obtain an adult diagnosis of ADHD. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the signs and symptoms that are seen in adults. They could be biased against the diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This could make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off.
You'll need to undergo a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain why you believe that the symptoms you are experiencing could be due to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for a long time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This could include obtaining old school records and asking your family members to fill out forms about your issues in the past.
After your clinical assessment you'll be able discuss whether you would like to look into alternative medication options. Usually, this will involve a shared-care agreement with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from a pharmacy.
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 and a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication via this route.