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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you suspect you or your child could have ADHD, the first step is to speak to your GP. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will likely refer you to a clinical assessment. This will be done with psychiatrists (or psychologist or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll assess you for ADHD. They will also assist you obtain DSA and other reasonable adjustments by making reports. 1. Talk to your GP If you or your child has a problem with ADHD the first step is to visit your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD they will refer you to an expert. It is advisable to bring some written notes with you to this appointment. Your GP should then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. The process can take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history, and asking about any mental health issues that you or your family might have faced in the recent past. You might be asked to complete a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you the options for medication. Adults often mask their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will need to see proof that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. diagnosis of adhd is usually done through old school records or letters from family. They will also need to rule out other reasons for your problems such as anxiety or depression. If you have difficulty getting an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal assessment with one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult to have to deal with GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not aware of the science behind ADHD, but persistence is key. 2. Request a recommendation A clinical diagnosis is required in order to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you a right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP will likely require you to fill out the questionnaire, which will be reviewed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also want to consult with other professionals who have been around you, such as teachers or health workers. They will look for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present since childhood. They will also look into whether other health conditions, such as depression or thyroid problems, could explain your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist will discuss treatment options with you after the evaluation. This could include medication, which can be beneficial for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you to your GP to manage shared care. If you're not keen to take medication, your Psychiatrist may recommend an independent psychological or occupational therapy assessment. This can assist you in managing your symptoms and enhance your the quality of your life. You may also find it useful to join a group for those suffering from ADHD. They can be very helpful and comforting. Many people with ADHD find that they need to do more work than others to live their daily lives. This can mean they lack self-esteem and can feel dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at work or in relationships. They might also feel other people don't understand them and can become angry or resentful. However, there are many ways to get assistance. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. These services are offered by a variety of reputable organizations. 3. Get a second opinion For a lot of people, having an opinion from a different doctor can be very helpful. This is especially important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a medical condition like anxiety or depression that may coexist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing mental health disorders. They can assist you to determine what's happening to you and how it might be affecting your daily life. It is essential to discuss your medical history thoroughly with a psychiatrist, as this can affect whether you have the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can do this either by self-referral or an GP referral or go private and book an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you choose to self-referral, it is a good idea to gather any information you have prior to your appointment, and also making notes about which symptoms you are experiencing and how they impact on various aspects of your life. You may also request that copies of your medical documents be sent to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment. A specialist in adult ADHD can provide a detailed assessment of your symptoms, including the ways they affect your daily activities and looking at any comorbidities present, such as depression or anxiety. They will usually use questionnaires and a medical interview to determine a diagnosis, which they then follow up with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the help you require including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also help you access disability support like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments at college or at school. 4. Do a clinical examination If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's affecting your life and your family, they'll recommend an assessment in a clinical setting. This is typically a extensive process that involves speaking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling in questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to examine your school records or talk to anyone who knew you well as an infant. This is because ADHD is not thought to develop in adults, and they'll need to confirm your symptoms since childhood. You'll likely be offered the choice of selecting one of the providers after being referred. Patients in England have the legal right of choosing their mental healthcare providers, as well as their local NHS trust. You can find useful information about how to use this tool on ADHD UK. It is known as Right to Choose. If you're a student you might be able to get an assessment through your university. If they're willing to provide it the report will be sufficient to get support from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. However, they won't be able to prescribe medication for you – therefore, you may need to seek an independent diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine if your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment and may recommend treatments such as medication or other. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll then decide on what to do and send you back to visit your GP. In most cases a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you want to consider medication options and a referral to your GP to discuss this. 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 could be biased or not take symptoms seriously. It can be difficult to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence is rewarded. You'll need an assessment by a specialist psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to explain how you're struggling with the symptoms and why you think they may be caused by ADHD. They will be interested in knowing that your symptoms will last and have a significant impact on you. This could include finding old school records and asking family members to fill in forms about your struggles in the past. After your clinical evaluation You can discuss with your doctor if you would like to explore medication options. This will usually involve an agreement to share care with your GP which will allow you to pay for the medication with an NHS prescription. You can also get your diagnosis done privately, and then purchase the medication from pharmacies. A private diagnosis will not be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this route, you'll require a referral from NHS and a thorough assessment of ADHD by psychiatrist.