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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect you or a child may have ADHD, the first step is to speak to your GP. They won't diagnose you right away but they'll refer you to a clinical assessment. This will take place with a psychiatrist (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report to assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Speak to your doctor The first thing to do if you or your child suffers with ADHD is to consult your GP. If they believe you have ADHD they will refer you to an expert, if required. It is advisable to bring some notes in writing with you to this appointment. Your GP will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process should take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family background, and asking about any mental health issues you or your family members may have experienced in the past. You might be asked to complete several questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you fit the ADHD criteria and will talk with you about treatment options. Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to verify that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family. They will also need to rule out any other causes for your difficulties, such as anxiety or depression. If you are having difficulty finding a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may be interested in an individual assessment. There are a number of options available on the Right to Choose site. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. But perseverance is essential. 2. Ask for a reference A medical diagnosis is required in order to be eligible for 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. Your GP may require you to fill out an assessment form that will be assessed by psychiatrists. They might also speak to other professionals who have been around you, such as health professionals or teachers. They will be looking for a pattern that is similar to the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also examine other health issues like thyroid issues or depression to determine if they can explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist may discuss the options for treatment with you following the assessment. This could include medication that can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to discuss the management of your care. If you're not ready to take medication, your Psychiatrist could suggest an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can help you manage your symptoms and enhance your the quality of your life. You may also find it useful to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be very helpful and comforting. Many people with ADHD find that they need to do more work than others to live their daily lives. This can lead to low self-esteem, and frustration with their lack of accomplishment at work or in relationships. They may also feel that other people don't understand them and become angry or resentful. There are many ways to get help. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are many excellent organizations that provide these services. 3. Get another opinion For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor can be very helpful. This is especially important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like depression or anxiety that could be co-existent with ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health issues. They can help you discover what's happening to you and how it could be impacting your daily life. It is important to discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist thoroughly, as it can influence whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can self-refer, get a GP referral or schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you opt to self-refer it's recommended that you gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your daily life. You can also request that the documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will examine the way they impact your daily life, and look for any complications, like anxiety or depression. A clinical interview and questionnaires are usually used to determine a diagnosis. IamPsychiatry is followed by a written report. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the assistance you require, such as medication and psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. It can also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance such as Disabled Student' Allowance or reasonable adjustments in college or at school. 4. Take a medical assessment If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's affecting your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is usually a fairly thorough process that involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to see your school records, or talk to anyone who knew you as when you were a child. This is because ADHD is not thought to manifest in adults, and they will have to confirm the symptoms from the age of a child. You'll likely have the option to choose 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. This is known as Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to make use of it on this page from ADHD UK. You may be able to get an assessment from your university if you are studying there. If they're happy to do this, then the report should be enough to access assistance through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student' Allowance. They won't be in the position to prescribe medication, so you may be able to get an independent diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. They might recommend medication or other treatments. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals and any other concerns you may have. They'll then decide on what to do and send you back to see your GP. In the majority of cases doctors will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would prefer to take medication. They might also refer you back to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to get an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS are not aware of the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They might also be biased towards a diagnosis, or simply not take the symptoms seriously. This can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis, but persistence can pay off. You will require a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked why you believe that your symptoms could be due to ADHD. They will want to know that your symptoms will last and have a significant effect on you. This could include obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have struggled in the past. Following your clinical assessment, you will be able to discuss whether you would like to look into alternative medication options. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP where you pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication from a pharmacy. A private diagnosis will not suffice to be eligible for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You will require an NHS referral and a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of obtaining medication via this route.