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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They will not diagnose you right away but they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This will be conducted with an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll assess your ADHD. They can also assist you to receive DSA and make reasonable adjustments by writing an assessment report. 1. Speak to your doctor The first thing you should do if you or your child is suffering with ADHD is to visit your GP. They will be able to assess whether they think that you suffer from ADHD and will refer you to a specialist if necessary. It might be beneficial to bring some written notes along to the appointment. Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family background, and asking about any mental health issues that you or your family members may have experienced in the past. You may be asked to complete some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you. It is important to realize that it can be a challenge for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD because they have learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will need to establish that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This is usually done by looking through old school records or letters from family members. They'll also have to rule out any other causes for your problems such as anxiety or depression. If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, you may think about a private assessment. There are a variety of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the scientific basis behind ADHD. But persistence is essential. 2. Ask for a referral A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines provide the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP may request you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be evaluated by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also ask to consult with other professionals who have been around you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will be looking for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health issues like thyroid or depression to see if they could explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist will discuss treatment options with you after the examination. This could include medications which could be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to share care management. If you do not want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can help you reduce your symptoms and increase your life skills. It may also be useful to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be reassuring and uplifting. Many people with ADHD have to work harder to get by in their lives. This can cause low self-esteem, and frustration with their lack of accomplishment at work or in relationships. They might also feel other people don't understand them and may be angry or resentful. There are many ways you can seek help. You can join online groups or meet in person. These services are provided by numerous reputable organizations. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. A second opinion is beneficial for a variety of people. This is particularly important in the event that you've been misdiagnosed, or if you suffer from a condition like anxiety or depression which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychologists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to understand what is happening to you and how it might affect your daily routine. It is important to discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist in depth in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this either by self-referring or getting a 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 recommended to gather any supporting documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, note down about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect different areas of your daily life. You may also request copies of your medical documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms. They will examine how they affect your daily activities, and look for any complications, like anxiety or depression. A clinical interview and questionnaires are commonly used to arrive at an assessment. The diagnosis is followed by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the assistance you require, such as medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It could also open the door to obtaining disability assistance, such as Disabled Students' 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 impacting your life, they'll refer you for a clinical assessment. This is a thorough process that involves speaking to someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also want to review your school records, or talk to someone who was familiar with you as a child. This is because ADHD is not believed to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms since your childhood. If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll likely be offered a choice of which provider to see. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find information on how to make use of it on this page by ADHD UK. how do i get an adhd diagnosis may be able to obtain an assessment from your university if you are a student. If they're willing to allow this, then the results should be enough to qualify for support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students Allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you – therefore, you might want to consider obtaining a private diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you to suffer from significant impairment. They might suggest medication or other treatments. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals and any other concerns you might have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what following that and refer you back to your GP with a plan. In most instances, a doctor will identify ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to think about taking medication. They might also refer you to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD is a difficult diagnosis. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS are not aware of how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased or not consider symptoms as serious. This makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance pays off. You will require an expert assessment from 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 to explain the reasons why you believe your symptoms might be related to ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for a long time and are having an impact on your life. This could include getting old school reports and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have been struggling in the past. Following your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to explore different options for your medication. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP and you will be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. You may also opt to make your diagnosis privately, and then purchase the medication from the pharmacy. A private diagnosis will not be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To receive medication through this method, you'll require a referral from NHS and a full evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.