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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't diagnose you right away however they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This will be conducted with the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll examine your ADHD. They will also assist you receive DSA and reasonable adjustments by making an assessment report. 1. Talk to your GP The first thing to do when you suspect that your child has a problem with ADHD is to consult your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe that you suffer from ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It might be beneficial to write down some notes for this appointment. Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment of ADHD symptoms. The process can 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 that you or your family members may have faced in the past. You may be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and will go over medication options with you. It's important to realise that it can be a challenge for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD because they have developed strategies to disguise their symptoms. The psychiatrist will typically require evidence to prove that the symptoms are causing significant impairment – this typically involves old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need you to rule out any other possible causes for your problems, such as anxiety or depression. If you're having trouble getting an accurate diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private evaluation with one of the many providers available through the Right to Choose website. It can be a hassle to have to deal with GPs, psychologists and nurses who are ignorant of the science behind ADHD However, perseverance is essential. 2. Ask for a reference A diagnosis from a doctor is required to qualify for 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 request you to complete an assessment form that will be reviewed by a psychiatrist. They may also want to speak to other professionals who have worked with you – for example, health professionals or teachers. They will look for signs that match those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also look into whether other health conditions like thyroid issues or depression, could explain your symptoms. After the assessment Your Psychiatrist will speak to you about treatment options. diagnosing adhd might include medication that can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP for shared care management. If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. Joining a support group of people with ADHD can be helpful. They can be reassuring and uplifting. Many people who suffer from ADHD must struggle to make ends meet in their daily lives. This can mean they are self-conscious and can feel dissatisfied with their lack of success in work or in relationships. They might also feel that they aren't understood by others and may become angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways you can get support. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. These services are provided by a variety of reputable organizations. 3. Get another opinion For a lot of people, having an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that could coexist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can give you an accurate understanding of what you're going through and how it may be impacting your life. It is important to discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in depth, as it can influence whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can either self-refer or get an GP referral or schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you do decide to go through the self-referral process it is recommended to gather any supporting information you have prior to your appointment, as well as taking notes of the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different areas of your life. You may also request that a copy of your records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, looking at how they interfere with your daily activities and examining any comorbidities present, including anxiety or depression. They will usually use questionnaires and a clinical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they'll follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the help you require, such as medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also help you access support for disabled people, like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in college or at school. 4. Have a medical evaluation If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's significantly impacting your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves talking with someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to see your school records or to talk to anyone who knew you well as when you were a child. This is because it's not thought that ADHD can develop 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 probably be given a choice of which healthcare provider to see. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their mental health providers as well as their local NHS trust. You can find useful information on how to utilize this tool on ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose. If you're a student you might be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they're happy to do this, then the report should be enough to access assistance with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student' Allowance. They're not in the position to prescribe medications, so you might think about obtaining an independent diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. They might recommend medications or other treatments. They will also likely discuss your long-term goal and any other concerns that you might have. Then, they'll make a choice on what to do next and return you to your GP with an action plan. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you want to consider medication options and a referral to your GP to discuss this. 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 signs and symptoms that are seen in adults. They may be biased or don't take symptoms seriously. This makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence pays off. You will need an expert assessment from a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to explain how you're experiencing symptoms and why you think they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been recurring for an extended period of period of time and are having an enormous impact on your life. This may include finding old school records and asking family members to fill in forms detailing your struggles in the past. After your assessment, you'll be able discuss whether you want to look into alternative medication options. Most likely, this will be a shared-care agreement 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 at pharmacies. A private diagnosis will not be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this route, you'll need a referral from the NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by a psychiatrist.