How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD

If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They can't diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to an assessment in the clinic.

This will be done with a psychiatrist or psychologist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll examine your ADHD. They can also help you get DSA and reasonable adjustments by making a report.

1. Talk to your GP

The first thing you need to do should you or your child is suffering with ADHD is to visit your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD they will refer you to an expert, if required. It is advisable to bring a few notes along to the appointment.

Your GP should then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. This procedure will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It will involve examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and seeking out your family history, as well as any other mental health problems you or your family members had in the past. You might be asked to complete a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you.

It's important to realise that it is difficult for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD as they often have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to verify that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This typically involves looking through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also want to rule out other possible causes of your issues, like depression or symptoms anxiety.

If you have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the numerous providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult to be faced with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who don't know the science behind ADHD, but perseverance is the key to success.

2. Ask for a referral

A medical diagnosis is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant a right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.

Your doctor will likely request you to fill out the questionnaire, which will be assessed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also ask to consult with other professionals who have been around you, such as healthcare professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and have been present since the age of. They will also look into whether other health issues like depression or thyroid problems may be causing your symptoms.

Your Psychiatrist might discuss the options for treatment with you following the examination. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your Psychiatrist could refer you to your GP to share the care management.

If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist may suggest an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. It may also be useful to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be reassuring and uplifting.

Many people suffering from ADHD have to work harder to get by in their daily lives. This could mean they are self-conscious and can be frustrated by their lack of success at the workplace or in relationships. They might also feel others don't understand them and can become angry or resentful. However, there are many ways to seek out help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are a lot of organizations that provide these services.

3. Get another opinion

A second opinion can be beneficial for a lot of people. This can be particularly important if you've been misdiagnosed or suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety that could co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues. They can assist you to discover what's happening to you and how it may be impacting your daily life.

It is important that you discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist as this can affect whether you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can do this by self-referring or obtaining a GP referral or you can make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.

If you decide to self-refer it's recommended that you gather any supporting documents you might have prior symptoms to your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your life. You may also request a copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to when you meet with them.

A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed assessment of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily functioning and also look for co-morbidities, such as depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to reach a diagnosis, which they then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD will allow you to receive the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication. It could also open the doors to accessing disability-related assistance, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments to the college or school.

4. Get a clinical evaluation

If your GP thinks you might have ADHD, and that it affects your life in a significant manner then they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is usually a fairly thorough process which involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to look over your school records, or speak to anyone who knew you well as an infant. This is because ADHD is not believed to develop in adults, and they'll be required to confirm your symptoms since your childhood.

After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll likely be offered a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right to select their mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK.

You may be able to obtain an assessment from your university if you are an undergraduate student. If they are willing to do so the report will be enough to qualify for support 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 an individual diagnosis instead.

Your psychiatrist will determine if your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. The doctor might suggest medication or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do and refer you back to see 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 referral to your GP for this to happen.

5. Get a diagnosis

Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the condition's presentation in adults. They might also be biased against an diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. It can be challenging to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence is rewarded.

You will need to have an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. Only these experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to explain why you're struggling with the symptoms and the reason you believe they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been going on for an extended period of period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This may include getting old school records or asking family to fill out forms about your struggles in the past.

After your assessment, you will be able to decide if you would like to look into alternative medication options. Usually, this will involve an agreement for shared-care with your GP where you pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You may also opt to have your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.

It's important to note that a private diagnosis will not necessarily be enough to access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To receive medication through this route, you will require a referral from the NHS and a thorough assessment of ADHD by a psychiatrist.