A How-To Guide For How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD UK From Beginning To End
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Consult your GP If you think you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They will not diagnose you right away however they will refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be conducted with the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They'll also prepare an assessment report that will assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Speak with your doctor
If you or your child has an issue with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first step is to consult your GP. If they believe you have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert. It might be beneficial to bring a few notes along to the appointment.
Your GP should then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family background and also asking about any mental health issues that you or your family may have had in the recent past. You may be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about the options for medication.
Adults often conceal their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to establish that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also want to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, you may think about an individual assessment. There are a variety of providers on the Right to Choose site. I Am Psychiatry can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who don't understand the scientific basis behind ADHD. But persistence is essential.
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 a right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may require you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be reviewed by a specialist psychiatrist. They may also ask you to speak to other professionals that have been around you, for example, teachers or healthcare workers. They will look for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also consider whether other health conditions, such as depression or thyroid problems might be the cause of your symptoms.
After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which can be beneficial for many people who have ADHD. If you decide to go with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP for shared care management.
If you don't want to take medication or take medication, you could ask your Psychiatrist to provide an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your the quality of your life. You may also find it useful to join a group for people with ADHD. They can be reassuring as well as supportive.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find they have to be more arduous than other people to live their daily lives. This can cause low self-esteem and anger over their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that other people don't understand them and may be angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways to get support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are offered by numerous reputable organizations.
3. Get another opinion
For many people, getting an additional opinion is extremely beneficial. This is particularly important in the event that you've been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition like anxiety or depression that may co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health conditions and can provide a clear understanding of what you're experiencing and how it is impacting your life.
It is important to discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in depth because it could affect whether you fit the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can either self-refer or get a GP referral or book an appointment privately with a specialist for adult ADHD.
If you decide to self-referral 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 are impacting on various aspects of your life. You can also ask for a copy of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to when you visit them.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed assessment of your symptoms. They will look at the way they impact your daily life, and look for any comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. They will usually use questionnaires and a clinical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they will then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the assistance you require to manage your symptoms, which includes psychotherapy and medication. It can also help you get disability assistance, such as Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in college or at school.
4. Get a clinical evaluation
If your GP thinks you might be suffering from ADHD, and that it affects your life in a significant way, they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves talking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to look over your school records or to talk to anyone who knows you well as a child. This is due to the fact that it's not believed that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood.
You'll likely have the option to choose a provider once you've been advised. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. You can find useful information about how to use this tool at ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose.
You might be able get an assessment from your school if you are an undergraduate student. If they are willing to take the initiative, their report will be sufficient to get help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you might want to consider obtaining an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will assess whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment, and may recommend treatment or other options. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you might have. Then, they'll make a choice on what to do next and send you back to your GP with a plan. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to look into medication options and a recommendation to your GP to make this happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS are not aware of how the condition manifests in adults. They may also be biased towards an diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off.
You'll need to undergo a an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. Only these healthcare professionals are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to describe how you're struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they may be caused by ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for an extended period of time and have an impact on your life. This could involve collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill in forms about how you have been struggling in the past.
After your assessment, you'll be able to discuss whether you would like to look into alternative medication options. This is usually a shared care agreement with your GP and you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You can also make your diagnosis privately and then purchase the medication from a pharmacy.
It's important to note that a private diagnosis will not necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this route, you'll need a referral from the NHS and a full assessment of ADHD by a psychiatrist.