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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD Talk to your GP If you think you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to diagnose you right immediately, but they will probably refer you for a clinical assessment. This is done by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They can also help you obtain DSA and make reasonable adjustments by making an assessment report. 1. Speak with your doctor The first thing you need to do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to visit your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe you have ADHD and will refer you to a specialist if necessary. It is advisable to bring some notes in writing with you to this appointment. ADHD Diagnosis will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment of your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family background, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family may have faced in the recent past. You may also be asked to fill out several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you the options for medication. Adults often conceal their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to see proof that your symptoms are causing significant 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 issues such as depression or anxiety. If you have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment through one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult to have to deal with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science behind ADHD however persistence is key. 2. Ask for a referral A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP will likely require you to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The results will be reviewed by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also ask you to consult with other professionals who have worked with you, such as teachers or healthcare workers. They will search for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also look into whether other health issues like thyroid issues or depression, could explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist might discuss the options for treatment with you following the assessment. This could include medications that can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your Psychiatrist could recommend you to your GP to share the care management. If you're not ready to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can help you manage your symptoms and improve life skills. It may also be beneficial to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be very supportive and reassuring. Many people with ADHD discover that they must be more arduous than other people to get through their day-to-day lives. This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration over their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that they aren't understood by others and feel angry or bitter. There are many ways to receive help. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. There are a lot of good organisations that offer these services. 3. Get a second opinion For many people, getting a second opinion is extremely beneficial. This is especially important when you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like anxiety or depression that could be co-existent with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues. They can help you discover what's happening to you and how it may be impacting your daily life. It is essential to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist, since this can affect whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can do this either by self-referring or obtaining an GP referral or you can make an appointment with a private doctor and schedule an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD. If you decide to self-refer it's best to gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect various aspects of your daily life. You can also request an official copy of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to when you visit them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, looking at the ways they affect your daily activities and examining any comorbidities that may be present, including anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to determine a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the help you require to manage your symptoms, such as psychotherapy and medication. It can also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance such as Disabled Student allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school. 4. Get a clinical evaluation If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's impacting your life, they'll refer you for an assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves speaking to someone (often psychiatrists) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also request to see your school records, or talk to anyone who knows you as an infant. It's because ADHD isn't thought to manifest in adults, and they'll be required to confirm your symptoms since your childhood. You'll likely be offered the choice of selecting the provider after you've been advised. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to make use of it on this webpage from ADHD UK. If you're a student, you might be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to do this, then their report will be sufficient to get assistance with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance. They won't be in a position to prescribe medication, so you may think about obtaining an individual diagnosis instead. Your psychiatrist will assess whether your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment and may recommend medication or other therapies. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you may have. They'll decide on what to do and refer you back to your GP. In the majority of cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you'd prefer to take medication. They might be able to refer you back to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand the condition's presentation in adults. They could also be biased towards the diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. This could make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence pays off. You'll need an assessment by a specialist psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. Only these healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked the reasons why you believe the symptoms you're 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 involve getting old school records or asking your family members to fill out forms detailing your struggles in the past. After your clinical assessment You can discuss with your doctor if you would like to explore the possibility of taking medication. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP which allows you to pay for the medication via 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 won't necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll require an NHS referral as well as a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication through this route.