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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to an assessment of your clinical needs. This will be done with an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They can also help you obtain DSA and reasonable adjustments by making a report. 1. Speak with your doctor The first thing to do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to visit your GP. If they suspect that you suffer from ADHD and they recommend you to an expert if needed. It may be helpful to take some written notes during this appointment. Your GP should then send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family might have experienced in the past. You may be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD and will go over medication options with you. It is crucial to recognize that it can be a challenge for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD since they've 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 other reasons for your problems, such as depression or anxiety. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation with one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating dealing with GPs who don't know the scientific basis behind ADHD. However, persistence is essential. 2. Request a recommendation A diagnosis from a doctor is required to access 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 doctor might ask you to fill out an assessment form that will be reviewed by psychiatrists. They may also ask you to speak to other professionals that have been around you, such as teachers or healthcare workers. They will look for signs that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also investigate whether other health issues, such as thyroid issues or depression may be causing your symptoms. After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This could include medication that can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to use medication, your Psychiatrist may refer you to your GP to share the care management. If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can help to manage your symptoms and improve your life skills. Joining a group of people who suffer from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely supportive and comforting. Many people with ADHD need to work harder to get by in their lives. This can mean that they are self-conscious and can feel dissatisfied with their lack of success at work or with relationships. They might also feel that others don't understand their situation and may become angry or bitter. There are many ways that you can seek help. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are provided by many good organisations. 3. Get another opinion A second opinion can be helpful for many people. getting diagnosed with adhd 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. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health conditions. They can assist you to discover what's happening to you and how it might be impacting your daily life. It is essential to discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist as this can affect whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can self-refer or get an GP referral or book an appointment privately with a specialist for adult ADHD. If you opt to self-refer it's recommended to gather any documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, note down about the symptoms you encounter and how they affect various aspects of your daily life. You may also request copies of your medical records be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a thorough analysis of your symptoms, looking at the ways they affect your daily functioning and examining any comorbidities that may be present, like depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a medical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the assistance you require like medication or psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. 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 may be suffering from ADHD, and that it is affecting your life in a significant manner, they will refer you to a medical assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves speaking to someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They might also need to review your school records or talk to someone who was familiar with you as a child. This is because it's not thought that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood. After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll likely be given the option of the provider you'd like to visit. This is because patients in England have a legal right to choose their mental health providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is referred to as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to make use of it on this page by ADHD UK. You may be able to get an assessment from your university in case you're a student. If they're happy to do this, then the report should be enough to qualify for assistance with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you might want to consider obtaining an independent diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. They might suggest treatment with medication or other methods. They will also likely discuss your long-term goal and any other concerns you may have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to your GP. In most cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to consider medication. They might also refer you to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how the condition presents in adults. They could be biased or don't take the symptoms seriously. This can make it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis, but perseverance will pay off. You will need to have an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to describe how you're struggling with the symptoms and why you believe they might be caused by ADHD. They'll be interested in knowing that your symptoms last for a long time and have a significant effect on you. This could include getting old school reports and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've suffered in the past. Following your clinical evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor if you'd like to investigate the possibility of taking medication. This usually involves a shared care agreement with your GP and you will pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at the pharmacy. A private diagnosis won't be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You will need an NHS referral and a thorough evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of obtaining medication through this method.