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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD Consult your GP if you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but likely refer you to a clinical assessment. This is done by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They'll also write a report that'll help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk with your doctor The first thing to do when you suspect that your child is suffering with ADHD is to see your GP. If they believe you have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert, if required. It may be helpful to bring some notes in writing with you to the appointment. Your GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family members may have experienced in the past. You might be asked to complete a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you fit the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about the options for medication. Adults often conceal their symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to see proof that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also need to rule out other causes for your problems such as anxiety or depression. If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may be interested in a private assessment. There are a variety of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. But persistence is the key to success. 2. Request a recommendation 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 a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your doctor will likely ask you to complete an assessment questionnaire. The results will be reviewed by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also talk to other professionals who have known you – such as teachers or health workers. They will be looking for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also consider other health issues like thyroid or depression to determine if they might explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist will discuss possible treatment options with you following the examination. This might include medication, which can be helpful for a lot of people with ADHD. If you decide to go with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP for shared care management. If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist can refer you for an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This will help you manage your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. Joining a support group for people suffering from ADHD can be helpful. They can be very supportive and reassuring. Many people suffering from ADHD need to struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. This can lead to low self-esteem, and frustration about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't understand their situation and feel angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways to get support. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are many good organisations that offer these services. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. A second opinion can be helpful for many people. This is particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed or if you have a medical condition like anxiety or depression which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychologists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health disorders and can offer a clear understanding of what you're going through 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 will determine if you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can either self-refer or request a GP referral or schedule an appointment privately with a specialist for adult ADHD. If you opt to self-refer, it's a good idea to gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, note down about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect various aspects of your life. You can also request a copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. visit them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms, looking at how they impact your daily activities and examining any comorbidities that might be present, like anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to establish a diagnosis which they then follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the help you require like medication or psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It also opens the doors to accessing disability-related assistance such as Disabled Student' Allowance or reasonable adjustments in the college or school. 4. Get a clinical evaluation If your GP believes that you have ADHD and believes that it affects your life in a significant manner, they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This is typically a extensive process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling in questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to see your school records or speak to anyone who knew you well as an infant. This is because it's not thought that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood. If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll likely be given the option of which healthcare provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right to select their mental health providers and also their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK. You might be able get an assessment from your school if you are an undergraduate student. If they're willing to allow this, then the report will be sufficient to get assistance through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you might want to consider obtaining a private diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. The doctor may recommend medication or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns that you might have. They'll then make a decision about what to do following that and send you back to your GP with plans. In the majority of cases the diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you'd like to look into medications and a referral to your GP for this to happen. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the condition's presentation in adults. They could be biased or do not consider symptoms as serious. It can be difficult to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence pays off. You'll need a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll have to describe how you're experiencing symptoms and why you think they may be caused by ADHD. Iam Psychiatry will be interested to know that your symptoms will last and have a significant effect on your. This could involve collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have struggled in the past. After your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore the possibility of taking medication. Most likely, this will be an agreement to share care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. You can also choose to have your diagnosis done privately and then purchase the medication from a pharmacy. It's important to note that a private diagnosis will not necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You will require an NHS referral and a full assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of receiving medication via this route.