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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They will not diagnose you immediately, but they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This is done by the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll assess your ADHD. They can also help you receive DSA and other reasonable adjustments by writing a report. 1. Talk to your doctor If you or your child has an issue with ADHD, the first step is to see your GP. If they believe you have ADHD they will refer you to an expert. It might be beneficial to write down some notes for this appointment. Your GP will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 and 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 may also be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you. Adults often mask their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will typically need evidence that the symptoms are causing significant impairment – this is usually done by looking through 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 depression or anxiety. If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the numerous services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the science behind ADHD. But persistence is the key to success. 2. Ask for a referral A diagnosis from a doctor is required in order to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines provide a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP will likely request you to fill out a questionnaire, which will be evaluated by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also want to speak to other professionals who have worked with you – such as health professionals or teachers. They will look for a pattern of symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and have been present since childhood. They will also look at other health conditions such as depression or thyroid issues to determine if they can explain your symptoms. After the assessment the Psychiatrist will talk to you about treatment options. This might include medication that can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD. If you decide to take medication, your Psychiatrist could recommend you to your GP to discuss care management. If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can assist you in managing your symptoms and develop the quality of your life. Joining a support group for people who suffer from ADHD can be helpful. They can be very supportive and comforting. Many people with ADHD discover that they must work harder than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This could mean they lack self-esteem and can feel dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at work or with relationships. They might also feel others don't understand their situation and become angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways to get help. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. There are many good organisations that offer these services. 3. Get another opinion A second opinion is beneficial for a lot of people. This is particularly important if you have been misdiagnosed, or you suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health issues. They can assist you to discover what's happening to you and how it may be affecting your daily life. It is important that you discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist, since this will determine if you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referring or getting an GP referral or you can go private and book an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD. If you choose to go through the self-referral process, it is recommended to gather any relevant information you have prior to your appointment, as well as noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You can also request copies of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will examine how they affect your daily functioning and also look for co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are commonly used to determine an assessment. The diagnosis is followed up by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the support you need like medication or psychotherapy to manage your symptoms. adult adhd diagnosis uk can also assist you to access disability support like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments in the college or school. 4. Go for a clinical assessment If your GP is of the opinion that you could have ADHD and that it's impacting your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. This is usually a fairly 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 talk to anyone who knows you well as an infant. It's because ADHD is not thought to develop in adults, and they will have to confirm the symptoms from the age of a child. After you've been recommended for an assessment you'll probably be offered a choice of which healthcare provider to see. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers and their local NHS trust. This is called Right to Choose and you can find information on how to use it on this page from ADHD UK. If you're a student, you may be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they're willing to do this, then the results will be sufficient to get support through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Student' Allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, therefore, you might want to look into getting a private diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may recommend treatment or other options. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you might have. Then they'll make a decision on what to do following that and refer you back to your GP with a plan. In the majority of cases doctors 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 Adult ADHD is a difficult diagnosis. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how ADHD manifests in adults. They may be biased or not consider symptoms as serious. It is sometimes difficult to establish a correct diagnosis. Persistence will pay off. You will need a specialist assessment by a 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 experiencing symptoms and why you think they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been recurring for an extended period of time and have an enormous impact on your life. This could mean obtaining old school reports, and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've struggled in the past. Following your clinical assessment, you will be able to decide if you would like to consider medication options. Most likely, this will be a shared-care agreement with your GP which allows you to pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to get your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at a pharmacy. A private diagnosis will not be sufficient to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). To get medication via this route, you will require a referral from NHS and a thorough evaluation of ADHD by psychiatrist.