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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right there and then but will probably refer you for a clinical assessment. This will be done with psychiatrists (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report to aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk to your GP The first thing to do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe that you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. It is advisable to bring some notes in writing with you to the appointment. Your GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues that you or your family may have experienced in the recent past. You might be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will go over medication options with you. It's important to realise that it can be a challenge for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD as they often have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will need to verify that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out other causes for your issues such as depression or anxiety. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, you may want to consider an individual assessment. There are a number of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the scientific basis behind ADHD. However, persistence is key. 2. Request a recommendation 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-funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your doctor may require you to fill out the questionnaire which will be reviewed by a psychiatrist. They might also speak to other professionals who have known you, such as teachers or health workers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since childhood. They will also consider other health issues like thyroid or depression to see if they could explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist will discuss possible treatment options with you following the examination. This could include medications that can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to share the care management. If adhd adult diagnosis uk 're not ready to take medication, your Psychiatrist could suggest an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life abilities. Joining a group of people suffering from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be very helpful and reassuring. Many people with ADHD find they have to work harder than others to live their daily lives. This can result in low self-esteem, and frustration about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and be angry or resentful. 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 a second opinion For many people, getting an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. This is especially important in the event that you've been misdiagnosed, or have a condition like anxiety or depression that could coexist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues. They can assist you to determine what's happening to you and how it could be impacting your daily life. You should discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in detail, as it can influence whether you fit the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can self-refer or request a GP referral or make an appointment privately with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you do decide to self-referral it is recommended to gather any relevant information you might have before your appointment, as well as making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You may also request that a copy of your records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will assess how they affect your daily functioning and will look for complications, like depression or anxiety. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are typically used to establish an assessment. The diagnosis is followed up by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you get the help you require to manage your symptoms, such as medication and psychotherapy. It can also open the door to accessing disability support like Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college. 4. Take a medical assessment If your GP believes that you may be suffering from ADHD and it is affecting your life in a significant way, they will refer you to a medical 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 see your school records or to speak to anyone who knew you well as an infant. This is because it's not thought that ADHD develops in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood. You'll likely have the option of choosing one of the providers after being referred. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers and their local NHS trust. You can find useful information on how to use this tool at ADHD UK. It is known as Right to Choose. If you're a student, you might be able receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to do this, then their report will be sufficient to get support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student Allowance. They won't be in a position to prescribe medications, so you might want to consider getting a private diagnose instead. Your psychiatrist will evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment, and may recommend treatments such as medication or other. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns that you might have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to visit your GP. In most cases the diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion about whether you'd like to look into medication options and a recommendation to your GP for this to happen. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS, lack understanding of how ADHD manifests in adults. They could also be biased towards the diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. It can be challenging to establish a correct diagnosis. Persistence will pay off. You'll need to go through a an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to explain how you're experiencing symptoms and why you think they could be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been recurring for some time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This may include obtaining old school records and asking family to fill out forms detailing your struggles in the past. After your clinical assessment you'll be able to discuss whether you want to think about alternative medications. Most likely, this will be a shared-care agreement with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You can also make your diagnosis privately and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy. It's important to note that a private diagnosis will not necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this route, you'll require a referral from NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.