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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you think you or a child may have ADHD, the first step is to speak to your GP. They will not diagnose you immediately however they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This is done by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll assess your ADHD. They can also write a report that'll assist you in making reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk to your GP If you or your child has an issue with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first step is to see your GP. If they believe you have ADHD they will refer you to an expert, if required. It is advisable to bring a few notes with you to this appointment. Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family background and also asking about any mental health issues that you or your family members may have experienced in the past. You might also be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you the options for medication. It's important to realise that it is difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD as they often have learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want 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 reasons for your difficulties, such as depression or anxiety. If you're having trouble getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation with one of the many providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who don't know the science behind ADHD. However, persistence is key. 2. Ask for a referral A medical diagnosis is required to receive Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant a right to request a NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP may ask you to complete a questionnaire, which will be assessed by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also speak to other professionals who have known you, such as teachers or health workers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and that have been present since the age of. They will also look into whether other health conditions, such as thyroid issues or depression, could explain your symptoms. After the assessment Your Psychiatrist will speak with you about possible treatment options. This could include medication, which is beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care. If adult adhd diagnosis uk do not want to take medication or take medication, you could ask your Psychiatrist to provide an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can help to manage your symptoms and improve your life abilities. You may also find it useful to join a group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be reassuring and supportive. Many people suffering from ADHD find that they need to be more arduous than other people to live their daily lives. This can result in low self-esteem and anger about their lack of success at work or in relationships. They may also feel that others don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are many ways to receive support. You can attend online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by many good organisations. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. For a lot of people, having a second opinion is extremely beneficial. This is particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition like anxiety or depression that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health issues. They can help you discover what's happening to you and how it may affect your daily routine. It is crucial to discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist as this will determine if you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can self-refer or obtain an GP referral or book an appointment in private with a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. If you decide to take the self-referral route it is a good idea to gather any relevant information you may have prior to your appointment, as well as taking notes of the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on different areas of your life. You may also request the records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, including how they interfere with your daily activities and assessing any comorbidities that may be present, like anxiety or depression. They will typically use questionnaires and a medical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they will then follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the support you need to manage your symptoms, which includes medication and psychotherapy. It can also assist you to access disability support like Disabled Student's Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in school or college. 4. Do a clinical examination If your GP believes that you be suffering from ADHD, and that it is affecting your life in a significant manner then they'll refer you to a medical assessment. This is typically a thorough process that involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also request to examine your school records or to talk to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. This is due to the fact that it's not believed that ADHD develops in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood. Once you've been referred for an assessment, you'll likely be given a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right to select 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 by ADHD UK. You may be able to obtain an assessment from your school if you are studying there. If they're willing to take the initiative the report will be enough to qualify for support from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. However they won't be in a position to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you may need to look into getting a private diagnosis instead. Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. They might recommend medication or other treatments. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you might have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to your GP. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to look into medications and a referral to your GP to make this happen. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD is a difficult diagnosis. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS lack understanding of the condition's presentation in adults. They might also be biased against the diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. This could make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence will pay 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'll have to explain why you're struggling with the symptoms and the reason you believe they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been going on for an extended period of time and are having an impact on your life. This could involve obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've been struggling in the past. After your assessment, you will be able to discuss whether you want to consider medication options. Most likely, this will be an agreement for shared-care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through the pharmacy. A private diagnosis will not suffice to be eligible for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You'll need an NHS referral and a thorough evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of receiving medication via this route.