Is How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD UK Really As Vital As Everyone Says?
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD
If you think you or a child may be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you immediately however they will recommend a clinical assessment.
This will be with a psychiatrist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test your symptoms for ADHD. They can also assist you to receive DSA and reasonable adjustments by writing an assessment report.
1. Talk to your doctor
The first thing to do should you or your child has a problem with ADHD is to visit your GP. They will be able determine whether they believe that you suffer from ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. It may be useful to take written notes to this appointment.
Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. This process will take 45 to 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as asking about your family history and any other mental health problems you or your family have suffered from in the past. You may also be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you treatment options.
Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will usually need evidence that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment - this typically involves old school reports or letters from family members. They'll also want to rule out any other possible causes for your problems, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment through one of the many providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. adult adhd diagnosis uk can be frustrating to be faced with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are ignorant of the science of ADHD However, perseverance is essential.
2. Request a recommendation
A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant the right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment.
Your doctor will likely request you to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The results will be assessed by psychiatrists with specialist expertise. They may also consult with other professionals who have been around you - for example, health professionals or teachers. They will look for signs that are similar to ADHD in adults and have been present since the age of. They will also look into whether other health issues, such as thyroid or depression, could explain your symptoms.
Your Psychiatrist might discuss treatment options with you after the assessment. This might include medication which could be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP to manage shared care.
If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist could recommend an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This will help you reduce your symptoms and increase your life skills. It may also be useful to join a group for people with ADHD. They can be reassuring as well as supportive.
Many people who suffer from ADHD find they have to work harder than others to manage their day-to-day lives. This can mean they are self-conscious and can feel dissatisfied with their lack of success in the workplace or in relationships. They might also feel they aren't understood by others and feel angry or bitter. There are many ways you can seek support. You can join online groups or meet in person. There are many organizations that provide these services.
3. Get another opinion
A second opinion can be helpful for many people. This can be particularly important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like depression or anxiety that could co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing mental health disorders and can give you an accurate understanding of what you're experiencing and how it is impacting your life.
It is important to discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in depth because it could affect whether you meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. This can be done by self-referring or getting an GP referral or go private and book an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD.
If you do decide to self-referral, it is a good idea to gather any information you may have prior to your appointment, as well as noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different aspects of your life. You may also request a copy of your records be provided to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment.
A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, examining how they interfere with your daily functioning and examining any comorbidities that might be present, such as anxiety or depression. They typically employ questionnaires and a clinical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they'll 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 could also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance like Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments in the college or school.
4. Have a medical evaluation
If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's significantly impacting your life and your family, they'll recommend an assessment in a clinical setting. This is a lengthy process that involves speaking to someone (often, a psychiatrist) and taking out questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to look over your school records or speak to someone who knew you as an infant. It's because ADHD isn't believed to develop in adults, and they will need to confirm your symptoms since your childhood.
Once you've been referred for an assessment, you'll most likely be given the option of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental health providers and also their local NHS trust. You can find useful information on how to use this tool from ADHD UK. It is known as Right to Choose.
You might be able get an assessment from your university if you are studying there. If they are willing to take the initiative the report will be sufficient to get assistance from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you - so you may want to look into getting an independent diagnosis instead.
Your psychiatrist will evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment, and may recommend treatment or other options. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you may have. They'll then decide what to do and refer you back to visit your GP. In the majority of cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you want to consider the possibility of medication and a referral to your GP to make this happen.
5. Get a diagnosis
Adult ADHD is a difficult diagnosis. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS do not understand how the condition presents in adults. They may be biased against the diagnosis, or not consider the symptoms serious. This makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but persistence can pay off.
You will need to have an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. Only these healthcare experts can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You'll need to describe how you're struggling with the symptoms and the reason you believe they could be related to ADHD. They will want to know that your symptoms are long-lasting and have a significant effect on you. This could involve collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill in the forms detailing how you've suffered in the past.
After your clinical evaluation After your evaluation, you can discuss with your doctor whether you would like to explore the possibility of taking medication. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at the pharmacy.
It's worth noting that a private diagnosis may not necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You will require an NHS referral and a full assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of getting medication via this route.