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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you think you or your child might have ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to diagnose you right immediately, but they likely refer you to a clinical assessment. This will be done with a psychiatrist (or psychologist who is located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report to aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Speak to your doctor If you or your child is suffering from issues with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first step is to visit your GP. They will be able to determine whether they believe you are suffering from ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. You may find it helpful to take some written notes for this appointment. Your GP should then send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an evaluation of your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 to 90 minutes. It involves checking the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history and identifying any mental health issues that you or your family may have experienced in the recent past. You might also be asked to fill out a few questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then determine whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and will also discuss treatment options with you. Adults often hide their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to see proof that your symptoms are causing serious impairment. This typically involves looking through old school records or letters from family members. They'll also need to rule out other reasons for your problems such as anxiety or depression. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis through your NHS GP, you may think about a private assessment. There are many providers on the Right to Choose site. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the scientific basis behind ADHD. But perseverance is the key to success. 2. Ask for a referral A medical diagnosis is required in order to access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines grant the right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your doctor might require you to fill out the questionnaire which will be evaluated by psychiatrists. They may also ask to speak to other professionals that have worked with you, like teachers or healthcare workers. They will look for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also look at other health issues like thyroid issues or depression to see if they could explain your symptoms. After the assessment Your Psychiatrist will speak to you about the treatment options available. This could include medication, which can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. If you decide to go with medication, your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP to manage shared care. If you don't want to take medication You could ask your Psychiatrist to provide an independent assessment of your psychological or occupational therapy. This can help to manage your symptoms and enhance your life abilities. Joining a support group for people with ADHD can be helpful. They can be very supportive and comforting. Many people suffering from ADHD find that they need to be more arduous than other people to manage their day-to-day lives. This can mean that they have low self-esteem and can be dissatisfied with their lack of success in the workplace or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't understand their situation and feel angry or bitter. There are many ways to receive support. You can take part in online meetings or join online groups. There are many excellent organizations that provide these services. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. A second opinion can be helpful for many people. This is particularly important when you've been misdiagnosed, or you suffer from a condition such as depression or anxiety that can co-exist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues and can give you an accurate understanding of what you are going through and how it may be affecting your life. You should discuss your mental health history with a psychiatrist thoroughly in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can do this by self-referral or an GP referral or 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 documentation you may have before your appointment. Also, make notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your daily life. You can also ask for copies of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist prior to when you see them. A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will assess the way they impact your daily functioning and also look for co-morbidities, such as depression or anxiety. A clinical interview and questionnaires are usually used to establish a diagnosis. This is followed by a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD may help you receive the assistance you require like medication or psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It could also open the doors to obtaining disability assistance, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments in school or college. 4. Go for a clinical assessment If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and believes that it is affecting your life in a significant manner then they'll refer you to a medical 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 may also request to see your school records or speak to anyone who knew you as an infant. This is because ADHD isn't believed to develop in adults, and they'll have to confirm the symptoms from childhood. If you've been referred to an assessment you'll probably be given a choice of which provider to see. This is because patients in England have the legal right to choose their own mental healthcare providers as well as their local NHS trust. You can get useful information about how to use this tool from ADHD UK. It is called Right to Choose. You might be able get an assessment from your university in case you're studying there. If they're willing to do this, then the results should be enough to qualify for assistance through reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance. They're not in a position to prescribe medication, so you might be able to get a private diagnose instead. Your psychiatrist will determine if your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. The doctor may recommend medications or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals, as well as any other concerns you may have. Then they'll make a decision about what to do next and will return you to your GP with an action plan. In most cases the diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion on whether you'd like to look into the possibility of medication and a referral back to your GP to discuss this. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to get an adult diagnosis of ADHD. A lot of medical professionals, particularly in the NHS lack understanding of the condition's presentation in adults. They could be biased or not take symptoms seriously. It can be difficult to get a proper diagnosis. Persistence pays off. You'll need to go through 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 the symptoms you are experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been present for an extended period of time and have an enormous impact on your life. This could involve collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill out the forms detailing how you've suffered in the past. Following your clinical assessment, you'll be able to discuss whether you would like to think about alternative medications. This is usually a shared care agreement with your GP which will allow you to be able to pay for the medication using an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through a pharmacy. Going Here will not suffice to be eligible for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You'll require an NHS referral and a full evaluation by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of obtaining medication through this route.