How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you immediately, but they will refer you to a medical assessment.
This will be done with psychiatrists (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They can also help you get DSA and make reasonable adjustments by making a report.
1. Talk with your doctor
The first thing you should do should you or your child suffers with ADHD is to visit your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe that you have ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. It may be helpful to bring some written notes with you to the appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. The process should take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family background, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family members may have faced in the past. You might be asked to complete several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you medication options.
Adults often conceal their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually need evidence that the symptoms are causing significant impairment - this is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out other causes for your problems such as depression or anxiety.
If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may want to consider a private assessment. There are a variety of options available on the Right to Choose site. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who don't know the scientific basis behind ADHD. However, persistence is essential.
2. Ask for a reference
A diagnosis from a doctor is required to receive Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may require you to fill out the questionnaire, which will be reviewed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also want to speak to other professionals who have been around you - for example, teachers or health workers. They will be looking for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also investigate whether other health conditions, such as thyroid or depression might be the cause of your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss care management.
If you don't want to take medication, you could ask your Psychiatrist to provide an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. It may also be useful to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be reassuring as well as supportive.
Many people suffering from ADHD need to work harder to get by in their daily lives. This could mean they have low self-esteem and may be frustrated by their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and may become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways you can seek help. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. There are lots of good organisations that offer these services.
3. Get a second opinion
For many people, getting an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. This is especially important when you've been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in diagnosing mental health conditions and can offer an understanding of the issues you're going through and how it is affecting your life.
You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in depth, as it can influence whether you fit the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this either by self-referring or obtaining a GP referral, or you can make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you choose to go through the self-referral process, it is a good idea to gather any information you might have before your appointment, and making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different 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 provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will look at the way they impact your daily life, and look for any complications, like anxiety or depression. A clinical interview and questionnaires are usually used to arrive at the diagnosis. This is followed by a written report. iampsychiatry.com of ADHD will allow you to receive the help you require to manage your symptoms, such as psychotherapy and medication. It can also open the door to accessing disability support, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments in school or college.
4. Do a clinical examination
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's impacting on your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is a thorough procedure that involves speaking with someone (often psychiatrists) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to examine your school records or talk to anyone who knows you well as an infant. It's because ADHD is not thought to manifest in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms from your childhood.
You'll likely have the option of choosing one of the providers after being referred. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to utilize it on this page by ADHD UK.
If you're a student, you might be able get an assessment through your university. If they're willing to provide it, their report will be sufficient to get help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. They're not in a position to prescribe medication, so you might be able to get an individual diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. The doctor may recommend medications or other treatments. They will also likely discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you may have. They'll then decide on what to do and refer you back to visit your GP. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you want to consider medication options and a recommendation to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS are not aware of the condition's presentation in adults. They could also be biased against an diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This makes it harder to obtain a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off.
You'll need to go through a a specialist assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to explain how you're struggling with the symptoms and the reason you believe they could be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for some period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This may include finding old school records and asking family to fill out forms about your issues in the past.
After your clinical assessment, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to investigate medication options. Typically, this will require a shared-care agreement with your GP which allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To receive medication through this method, you'll require a referral from the NHS and a thorough evaluation of ADHD by psychiatrist.
