An Easy-To-Follow Guide To Choosing Your How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD UK
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right away but they'll refer you to a clinical assessment.
This will be with psychiatrists (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They can also write an assessment report to aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA.
1. Talk to your GP
The first thing you need to do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to see your GP. If they believe you have ADHD they will refer you to an expert. It may be helpful to bring some written notes with you to this appointment.
Your GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This procedure will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as looking into your family history and 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 decide whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will discuss with you the options for medication.
Adults often conceal their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually want to see evidence that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment. This is often done through old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out any other causes for your problems like depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private evaluation with one of the numerous providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the science behind ADHD. But perseverance is key.
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 provide a right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your GP may ask you to fill out the questionnaire which will be evaluated by psychiatrists. They might also talk to other professionals who have been around you, such as health professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that match those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health conditions like thyroid issues or depression to determine if they can be the cause of your symptoms.
After the test, your Psychiatrist will talk with you about possible treatment options. This could include medication, which can be helpful for many people with ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP to manage shared care.
If you don't want to take medication You can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve life skills. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD can be helpful. They can be very helpful and reassuring.
IamPsychiatry who suffer from ADHD find they have to do more work than others to live their daily lives. This can mean they lack self-esteem and can be frustrated by their inability to succeed at the workplace or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't understand their situation and may become angry or resentful. There are many ways to get assistance. You can join online groups or go to meetings in person. There are a lot of organizations that provide these services.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion is beneficial for a variety of people. This can be particularly important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like depression or anxiety that could be co-existent with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing mental health disorders and can offer an accurate understanding of what you're experiencing and how it could be affecting your life.
It is essential to discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist, since it can impact whether you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can self-refer or obtain a GP referral or schedule an appointment privately with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD.
If you choose to go through the self-referral process, it is recommended to gather any relevant information you have prior to your appointment, and noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different aspects of your life. You can also request that the records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms, looking at the ways they affect your daily functioning and examining any comorbidities that may be present, such as depression or anxiety. A clinical interview and questionnaires are commonly used to arrive at a diagnosis. The diagnosis is followed by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the help you require including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also allow you to access support for disabled people, such as Disabled Students' Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in school or college.
4. Take a clinical exam
If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's impacting on your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves talking with someone (often psychiatrists) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to look over your school records, or talk to anyone who knows you as a child. It's because ADHD isn't thought to manifest in adults, and they'll be required to confirm your symptoms since the age of a child.
You'll likely have the option to choose the provider after you've been referred. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers, as well as their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to use it on this page from ADHD UK.
If you're a student you might be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they're happy to do this, then their report will be sufficient to get support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student allowance. They won't be in the position to prescribe medication, so you may think about obtaining an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may recommend treatment or other options. They'll also likely talk about your long-term goals and any other concerns that you may have. They'll then decide on what to do next and send you back to visit your GP. In the majority of cases the diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to think about the possibility of medication and a referral to your GP for this to happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how the condition manifests in adults. They could also be biased towards an diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This could make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off.
You'll need to go through a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. Only these professionals are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to explain how you're struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they might be caused by ADHD. They will be interested to know that your symptoms will last and have a significant impact on you. This could involve obtaining old school records and asking your family members to fill out forms regarding your struggles in the past.
After your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore the possibility of taking medication. This usually involves an agreement to share care with your GP which will allow you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also opt to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from the pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis will not necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll require an NHS referral as well as a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of obtaining medication via this route.