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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you think you or a child may be suffering from ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They aren't able to diagnose you immediately, but they will probably refer you for an assessment in the clinic. This will be with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They can also write a report that'll help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk to your GP If you or your child has a problem with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the first step is to visit your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert. It may be helpful to bring some notes in writing along to the appointment. Your GP should then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves reviewing the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family members may have had in the recent past. You might be asked to complete several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will go over medication options with you. It is important to realize that it is difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD since they've learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will need to verify that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school documents or letters from relatives. They'll also need to rule out any other causes for your difficulties, such as depression or anxiety. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation with one of the numerous providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who don't understand the scientific basis behind ADHD. But perseverance is key. 2. Request a recommendation A clinical diagnosis is required in order to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant the right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment. getting a diagnosis for adhd ADHD Diagnosis may request you to complete a questionnaire that will be assessed by a psychiatrist. They might also request to speak to other professionals that have been around you, like healthcare professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health conditions such as depression or thyroid issues to determine if they might explain your symptoms. After the test the Psychiatrist will talk with you about possible treatment options. This could include medications which could be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss 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 can help you manage your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. You might also find it useful to join a group for those suffering from ADHD. They can be very helpful and comforting. Many people who suffer from ADHD discover that they must do more work than others to live their daily lives. This could mean they have low self-esteem and can feel frustrated by their inability to succeed at the workplace or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and may become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways you can seek support. You can join online groups or meet in person. There are lots of organizations that provide these services. 3. Get another opinion For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor is extremely beneficial. This is especially true if you've been misdiagnosed or suffer from a condition such as anxiety or depression that could be co-existent with ADHD. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to determine what's happening to you and how it could affect your daily routine. It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist thoroughly, as it can influence whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can self-refer or request an GP referral or book an appointment with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. If you do decide to self-referral it is recommended to gather any information you might have before your appointment, and taking notes of the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You can also ask for a copy of your medical records to be sent to the psychiatrist before you meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will assess how they affect your daily functioning, and look for any complications, like depression or anxiety. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are commonly used to arrive at an assessment. This is followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the assistance you require including medication and psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It can also open the doors to accessing disability-related assistance such as Disabled Student allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school. 4. Take a medical assessment If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's significantly affecting your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to see your school records, or talk to anyone who knows you well as an infant. This is because it's believed that ADHD develops in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood. You'll likely be given the option of choosing the provider after you've been referred. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental healthcare providers and also their local NHS trust. You can get useful information on how to utilize this tool at ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose. You might be able get an assessment from your school in case you're studying there. If they're willing to do this, then their report should be enough to qualify for assistance with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you might want to seek an individual diagnosis instead. Your psychiatrist will determine if your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. They might suggest treatment with medication or other methods. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll then make a decision on what to do following that and send you back to your GP with plans. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to look into medications and a recommendation to your GP to discuss this. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS, lack understanding of how ADHD manifests in adults. They may also be biased towards a diagnosis, or simply not consider the symptoms serious. This makes it more difficult to receive a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off. You'll need an assessment by a specialist psychologist, specialist nurse, or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain your reasons for believing that the symptoms you are experiencing could be due to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for some period of time and are having an impact on your life. This could mean obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've suffered in the past. Following your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor if you would like to explore medication options. 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. A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this method, you'll require a referral from NHS and a complete assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.