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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD Consult your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to diagnose you right away but they'll refer you to a clinical assessment. This will take place with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test your symptoms for ADHD. They can also assist you to obtain DSA and reasonable adjustments by making reports. 1. Talk with your doctor If you or your child have a problem with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the first step is to consult your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD and they recommend you to an expert if needed. It might be beneficial to write down some notes during this appointment. Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This procedure can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It will involve examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and looking into your family history and any other mental health problems you or your family members suffered from in the past. You may be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will go over medication options with you. It's important to realise that it can be difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD as they often have learnt how to mask their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to verify that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school records or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. If you're having trouble finding a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may be interested in a private assessment. There are a variety of options available on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating to be faced with GPs or psychologists, as well as nurses who don't know the science of ADHD, but persistence is key. 2. Ask for a referral A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and 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 require you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be evaluated by a specialist psychiatrist. They may also ask to talk to other professionals who have been around you, like teachers or healthcare workers. They will be looking for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present since childhood. They will also consider other health conditions such as depression or thyroid issues to determine if they can explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist may discuss treatment options with you after the examination. This could include medication, which is useful for many who have ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your psychiatrist may recommend you to your GP to share care management. If you're not ready to take medication, your Psychiatrist could suggest an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD can be helpful. how to get diagnosed with adhd can be very supportive and comforting. Many people who suffer from ADHD have to struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. This could mean they lack self-esteem and can feel frustrated by their inability to succeed at work or in relationships. They can 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 take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are offered by numerous reputable organizations. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. For many people, getting an opinion from a different doctor can be extremely beneficial. This is especially important if you have been misdiagnosed or if you have a condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health issues. They can assist you to understand what is happening to you and how it may be impacting your daily life. It is essential to discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist, as this can affect whether you have the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can self-refer or request a GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. If you choose to go through the self-referral process it is recommended to gather any supporting information you have prior to your appointment, and also making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different aspects of your life. You can also ask for an official copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist before you meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough analysis of your symptoms. They will examine the way they impact your daily activities and will look for comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to establish a diagnosis which they'll follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the help you require like medication or psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It can also help you access disability support like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in college or at school. 4. Take a medical assessment If your GP believes that you have ADHD and it affects your life in a significant way they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is a lengthy procedure that involves speaking with someone (often psychiatrists) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to examine your school records or to speak to anyone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because it's believed that ADHD develops in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood. Once you've been referred for an assessment you'll probably be given the option of which healthcare provider to see. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to utilize it on this webpage from ADHD UK. If you're a student, you may be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to take the initiative, their report is sufficient to receive help from reasonable adjustments as well as 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 are causing significant impairment and may suggest medication or other therapies. They will also likely discuss your long-term goal and any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do next and send you back to visit your GP. In most cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion about whether you want to consider the possibility of medication and a referral to your GP for this to happen. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD is a difficult diagnosis. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS, lack understanding of how the condition presents in adults. They may also be biased against the diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This could make it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance can pay off. You'll need a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse, or psychiatrist. Only these healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain why you believe that your symptoms might be related to ADHD. They'll be interested to know that your symptoms last for a long time and have a significant effect on you. This could include obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill in reports on how you've struggled in the past. After your assessment, you'll be able to decide if you would like to think about alternative medications. This will usually involve a shared care agreement with your GP, where you will be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at a pharmacy. A private diagnosis won't be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You will need an NHS referral and a thorough evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication through this route.