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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 won't be able to diagnose you immediately, but they will refer you to a clinical assessment. This will take place with an audiologist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They can also help you get DSA and reasonable adjustments by writing an assessment report. 1. Talk to your GP The first thing to do when you suspect that your child suffers with ADHD is to see your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD and they recommend you to an expert. It is advisable to bring a few notes with you to this appointment. Your GP should then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment of your ADHD symptoms. This is a process that will take 45 to 90 minutes. It involves examining the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and looking into your family history and any other mental health issues you or your family members been through in the past. You might be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then decide whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you. Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify ADHD. The psychiatrist will typically require evidence to prove that the symptoms are causing you significant impairment – this is usually done by looking through old school reports or letters from family members. They will also need to rule out other causes for your difficulties such as depression or anxiety. If you're having trouble finding a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may want to consider an assessment by a private doctor. There are a number of providers available on the Right to Choose site. It can be difficult to have to deal with GPs and psychologists as well as nurses who are not aware of the science behind ADHD However, perseverance is the key to success. 2. Ask for a reference A diagnosis from a doctor is required to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and other reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant the right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment. Your doctor might request you to complete an assessment form that will be reviewed by psychiatrists. They might also request to talk to other professionals who have known you, for example, teachers or healthcare workers. They will be looking for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present since childhood. They will also examine other health issues like depression or thyroid issues to determine if they can explain your symptoms. After the assessment, your Psychiatrist will talk with you about possible treatment options. This could include medication, which is helpful for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care. If you do not want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will assist you in managing your symptoms and enhance your life skills. It may also be beneficial to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be very helpful and reassuring. Many people with ADHD discover that they must work harder than others to manage their day-to-day lives. This could mean they lack self-esteem and may be dissatisfied with their lack of success at work or with relationships. They might also feel people don't get it and can become angry or bitter. There are a variety of ways you can seek support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are lots of organizations that provide these services. 3. Get another opinion For a lot of people, having a second opinion can be extremely beneficial. This can be particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed or suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety that could co-exist with ADHD. Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to discover what's happening to you and how it could be affecting your daily life. It is essential to discuss your mental health history in detail with a psychiatrist, since this can affect whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You can do this either by self-referring or obtaining an GP referral or you can make an appointment privately and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you choose to self-refer it's recommended to gather any supporting documentation you have prior to your appointment. Also, note down about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your life. You can also request a copy of your medical records to be provided to the psychiatrist prior to when you meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a detailed analysis of your symptoms. They will examine the way they impact your daily functioning and also look for comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety. A questionnaire and a clinical interview are commonly used to arrive at an assessment. The diagnosis is followed by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the support you need including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments at school or college. 4. Go for a clinical assessment If your GP believes that you be suffering from ADHD and it is affecting your life in a significant manner then they'll refer you to a clinical assessment. This is a comprehensive process that involves talking with someone (often a psychiatrist) and filling 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 due to the fact that it's not believed that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood. After you've been recommended for an assessment, you'll most likely be offered a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. 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 will find useful information on how to utilize it on this page by ADHD UK. If you're a student you might be able to get an assessment through your university. If they are willing to take the initiative, their report will be sufficient to get help from reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's Allowance. However they won't be able to prescribe medication for you, so you may want to seek an individual diagnosis instead. Your psychiatrist will evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms are causing you significant impairment and may suggest treatments such as medication or other. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. Then they'll make a decision regarding what next and send you back to your GP with plans. In the majority of cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you want to consider medication options and a referral back to your GP to make this happen. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased against a diagnosis, or simply not consider the symptoms serious. It can be challenging to get a proper diagnosis. Persistence pays off. You'll need to undergo a an expert assessment with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain your reasons for believing that your symptoms could be due to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for some time and are having a significant impact on your life. peer relationships may include obtaining old school records and asking family members to fill in forms regarding your issues in the past. After your assessment, you'll be able discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP, where you will pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. You can also make your diagnosis privately, and then purchase the medication from a 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 as well as a full evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of obtaining medication through this method.