How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect that you or a child may be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right immediately, but they will likely refer you to an assessment in the clinic. This will be with psychiatrists (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess your symptoms for ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report that will help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk to your GP The first thing you should do when you suspect that your child has a problem with ADHD is to visit your GP. They will be able to determine whether they think that you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. You may find it helpful to take some written notes to this appointment. Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that can take between 45 and 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and looking into your family history, and any other mental health issues you or your family have suffered from in the past. You might also 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. It is important to realize that it can be a challenge for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD because they have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically want to see 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 want to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. If you have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private assessment with one of the numerous providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who don't understand the science behind ADHD. But persistence is essential. 2. Ask for a reference A diagnosis from a doctor is required to qualify for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you the right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP will likely request you to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The results will be evaluated by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also want to consult with other professionals who have been around you - such as teachers or health workers. They will be looking for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also investigate whether other health issues, such as thyroid or depression may be causing your symptoms. After the evaluation Your Psychiatrist will speak with you about possible treatment options. This could include medication which could be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP to manage shared care. If you don't want to take medication, you could ask your Psychiatrist to provide an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This can help you manage your symptoms and improve your life skills. You might also find it useful to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be very supportive and comforting. Many people with ADHD find they have to do more work than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This could mean they have low self-esteem and may be dissatisfied with their lack of success in work or with relationships. They might also feel that others don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are many ways to get assistance. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are many organizations that provide these services. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. For a lot of people, having an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. This is especially true if you have been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition like anxiety or depression which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health issues. They can help you determine what's happening to you and how it may affect your daily routine. It is essential to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist, as this can affect whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can do this by self-referring or getting a GP referral, or you can make an appointment with a private doctor and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you choose to go through the self-referral process it is recommended to gather any relevant information you might have before your appointment, as well as noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You can also ask for copies of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to when you meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily activities and will look for complications, like anxiety or depression. They typically employ questionnaires and a medical interview to establish a diagnosis which they will then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the help you require including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It also opens the door to accessing disability-related assistance like Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school. 4. Get a clinical evaluation If your GP believes that you may be suffering from ADHD, and that it is affecting your life in a significant way they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is a lengthy process that involves speaking to someone (often psychiatrists) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also want to review your school records or talk to someone who was familiar with you as an infant. It's because ADHD isn't believed to develop in adults, and they'll need to confirm your symptoms since the age of a child. If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll most likely be given a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers and their local NHS trust. You can find useful information on how to use this tool from ADHD UK. It is known as Right to Choose. You may be able to obtain an assessment from your university in case you're a student. If they are willing to provide it the report will be sufficient to get support 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 an individual diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. He or she may recommend medications or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goal and any other concerns that you might have. They'll then decide what to do and send you back to visit your GP. In the majority of cases, a doctor will identify ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd prefer to take medication. They may be able to refer you back to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD is a difficult diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They might also be biased towards a diagnosis, or simply not take the symptoms seriously. It can be difficult to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence pays off. You will require an assessment by a specialist psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to describe how you are struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they could be related to ADHD. They will be interested in knowing that your symptoms are long-lasting and have a significant effect on you. This could include collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill in the forms detailing how you've struggled in the past. After your clinical assessment you'll be able to decide if you would like to consider medication options. Typically, this will require an agreement to share care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from a pharmacy. A private diagnosis won't suffice to be eligible for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). For https://www.adhddiagnosis.top/ to be obtained through this route, you'll require a referral from the NHS and a thorough evaluation of ADHD by psychiatrist.