How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect that you or a child may be suffering from ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They can't diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be with a psychiatrist (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They will also assist you receive DSA and other reasonable adjustments by making an assessment report.
1. Talk to your GP
The first thing you should do should you or your child has a problem with ADHD is to see your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD they will refer you to an expert. It may be helpful to bring a few notes with you to the appointment.
Your GP should then send you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment of your ADHD symptoms. This procedure will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It will involve examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as looking into your family history, as well as any other mental health issues you or your family have had in the past. You may 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.
Adults often hide their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually want to see evidence that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment - this is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out any other causes for your issues, like depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment with one of the many providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be a hassle to have to deal with GPs, psychologists and nurses who don't know the science of ADHD, but perseverance is the key to success.
2. Request a recommendation
A clinical diagnosis is needed to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you a right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may request you to fill out the questionnaire, which will be reviewed by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also consult with other professionals who have known you - for example, health professionals or teachers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and that have been present since childhood. They will also consider whether other health issues, such as thyroid or depression may be causing your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist may discuss treatment options with you after the evaluation. This could include medication, which can be helpful for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you are not ready to take medication or take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. Joining diagnosed with adhd as an adult for people suffering from ADHD can be helpful. They can be very supportive and reassuring.
Many people with ADHD have to be more efficient in their daily lives. This can mean they lack self-esteem and can feel unhappy with their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel that people don't understand their situation and feel angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways to get help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are a lot of good organisations that offer these services.
3. Get a second opinion
For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor can be extremely beneficial. This is particularly important if you have been misdiagnosed, or if you have a medical condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to determine what's happening to you and how it may be impacting your daily life.
It is crucial to discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist, as this can affect whether you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can do this by self-referring or obtaining an GP referral, or you can go private and book an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-refer it's best that you gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect various aspects of your life. You may also request that the records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms, including the ways they affect your daily functioning and examining any comorbidities that might be present, including depression or anxiety. They typically employ questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to determine a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the help you require to manage your symptoms, which includes medication and psychotherapy. It can also allow you to access disability support such as Disabled Students' Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in the college or school.
4. Go for a clinical assessment
If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's impacting on your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is a thorough procedure that involves speaking with someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to look over your school records, or talk to anyone who knows you as a child. It's because ADHD is not believed to develop in adults, and they'll be required to confirm your symptoms from childhood.
You'll likely be given the option to choose the provider after you've been recommended. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers and their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK.
You might be able get an assessment from your university when you are studying there. If they're willing to do this, then their report should be enough to access support through reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you may need to look into getting a private diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will assess whether your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment and may suggest treatment or other options. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goal and any other concerns you may have. They'll decide on what to do next and send you back to see your GP. In the majority of cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to think about taking medication. They might also refer you back to your GP.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the signs and symptoms that are seen in adults. They might also be biased against an diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. This could make it harder to obtain a diagnosis, but persistence pays off.
You will require a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain your reasons for believing that the symptoms you're experiencing could be due to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been present for an extended period of time and are having a significant impact on your life. This could mean collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill out reports on how you've suffered in the past.
Following your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore medication options. Most likely, this will be a shared-care agreement with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through pharmacies.
A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this method, you'll need a referral from the NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.