How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They can't diagnose you there and then but likely refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will take place with an audiologist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test your symptoms for ADHD. They will also assist you get DSA and other reasonable adjustments by writing reports.
1. Speak with your doctor
The first thing you should do when you suspect that your child has a problem with ADHD is to consult your GP. how to get diagnosed with adhd will be able to assess whether they think that you suffer from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It may be helpful to bring some written notes with you to the appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This procedure will take 45 to 90 minutes. It involves examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and looking into your family history, as well as any other mental health issues you or your family members have suffered from in the past. You may be asked to complete some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about treatment options.
It's important to realise that it is difficult for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD since they've developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically need evidence that your symptoms are causing significant impairment - this is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need to rule out other causes for your difficulties like depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private assessment with one of the many providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who don't understand the science behind ADHD. But persistence is the key to success.
2. Request a recommendation
A diagnosis from a doctor is required in order to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you a right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely ask you to complete an assessment questionnaire. The results will be reviewed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also ask to talk to other professionals who have been around you, like healthcare professionals or teachers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also look at other health conditions like depression or thyroid issues to determine if they might explain your symptoms.
After the assessment Your Psychiatrist will speak to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend you to your GP to discuss the care management.
If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist can refer you for an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group for people with ADHD could be beneficial. They can be very helpful and comforting.
Many people with ADHD have to work harder to get by in their lives. This can mean that they have low self-esteem and can feel dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at the workplace or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways to seek out support. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by many good organisations.
3. Get another opinion
For a lot of people, having a second opinion is extremely beneficial. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that may coexist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can give you a clear understanding of what you're experiencing and how it could be affecting your life.
It is important that you discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist, as this can affect whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can self-refer or request an GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer, it's a good idea to gather any documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, note down about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect 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 evaluation of your symptoms. They will assess how they affect your daily activities and also look for comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. They will usually use questionnaires and a medical interview to establish a diagnosis which they then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy. It could also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP believes that you may be suffering from ADHD and it affects your life in a significant way they will recommend a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves talking with someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to see your school records, or talk to anyone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because ADHD is not thought to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms from childhood.
After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll 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. You can find useful information on how to use this tool at ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose.
If you're a student you might be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to take the initiative, their report will be enough to qualify for assistance 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 look into getting a private diagnosis instead.
Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. He or she might recommend treatment with medication or other methods. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll then make a decision on what to do next and will return you to your GP with plans. In the majority of cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you want to consider medications and a referral back to your GP to discuss this.
5. Get a diagnosis
It isn't easy to obtain an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how the condition presents in adults. They might also be biased towards a diagnosis, or simply not take the symptoms seriously. It can be challenging to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence is rewarded.
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 be asked to explain why you believe that the symptoms you're experiencing could be due to ADHD. They'll be interested to know that your symptoms are long-lasting and have a significant effect on your. This may include obtaining old school records and asking family to fill out forms detailing your struggles in the past.
After your clinical assessment you'll be able discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP where you pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. You can also choose to have your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
It's important to note that a private diagnosis won't necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll need an NHS referral and a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of obtaining medication through this method.