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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD If you think you or your child could be suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk to your GP. They will not diagnose you immediately but they'll refer you to a clinical assessment. This will be done with the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. They'll evaluate your ADHD. They'll also prepare a report that'll aid you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk to your GP If you or your child have issues with ADHD the first step is to consult your GP. They will be able to assess whether they believe you have ADHD and refer you to a specialist in the event of need. diagnosed with adhd may be beneficial to write down some notes to this appointment. Your GP will then send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, asking about your family history and also asking about any mental health issues that you or your family may have had in the past. You might be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will decide whether you meet the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you treatment options. Adults often conceal their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize ADHD. The psychiatrist will want to establish that your symptoms are causing significant impairment. This is usually done through old school records or letters from family members. They'll also want to rule out other causes for your issues, like depression or anxiety. If you have difficulty getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth considering seeking a private evaluation with one of the numerous providers on offer through the Right to Choose website. It can be difficult dealing with GPs who aren't aware of the science behind ADHD. However, persistence is the key to success. 2. Ask for a reference A diagnosis from a doctor is required to be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines provide the right to request an NHS funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your GP will likely ask you to complete a questionnaire, which will be reviewed by psychiatrists who specialize in the field. They may also ask you to consult with other professionals who have been around you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will be looking for a pattern that resembles the symptoms of ADHD in adults who have been present from childhood. They will also consider whether other health issues, such as thyroid issues or depression, could explain your symptoms. After the assessment the Psychiatrist will talk with you about possible treatment options. This could include medication, which can be helpful for many people with ADHD. If you decide to go ahead with medication Your Psychiatrist will send you to your GP to manage shared care. If you don't want to take medication, your Psychiatrist may suggest an independent occupational or psychological therapy assessment. This can aid in managing your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. You may also find it beneficial to join a support group for people with ADHD. They can be very helpful and reassuring. Many people who suffer from ADHD find that they need to be more arduous than other people to manage their day-to-day lives. This could mean they have low self-esteem and may be dissatisfied with their inability to succeed at work or in relationships. They may also feel that people don't get it and may become angry or bitter. There are many ways that you can seek help. You can join online groups or go to meetings in person. There are lots of excellent organizations that provide these services. 3. Get a second opinion For many, getting an additional opinion can be extremely beneficial. This is especially important if you've been misdiagnosed or have a condition like anxiety or depression that may coexist with ADHD. Psychologists are experts in diagnosing mental health issues and can provide an accurate understanding of what you are going through and how it may be impacting your life. You should discuss your mental history with a psychiatrist in depth in order to determine whether you are able to meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria. You can self-refer, obtain an GP referral or schedule an appointment in private with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you choose to self-refer, it's a good idea that you gather any supporting documents you might have prior to your appointment. Also, take notes about the symptoms you experience and how they impact various aspects of your daily life. You can also request a copy of your medical records to be delivered to the psychiatrist before you visit them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. They will examine how they affect your daily activities and will look for comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression. They typically employ questionnaires and a clinical interview to determine a diagnosis, which they then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD could help you get the help you require, such as medication and psychotherapy, to manage your symptoms. It also opens the door to obtaining disability assistance, such as Disabled Students allowance or reasonable adjustments in school or college. 4. Take a medical assessment If your GP agrees that you might have ADHD and that it's significantly affecting your life and your family, they'll recommend a clinical assessment. It's usually a thorough process that involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms and filling in questionnaires and checklists. They might also want to see your school records, or talk to someone who knew you as an infant. This is because it's believed that ADHD is a condition that develops in adults. They'll have to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood. After you've been recommended for an assessment you'll probably be given the option of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right to select their mental healthcare providers, and also their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you will find useful information on how to use it on this page by ADHD UK. If you're a student you may be able to receive an assessment from your university. If they are willing to do so, their report will be enough to qualify for assistance from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They won't be in a position to prescribe medication, so you might want to consider getting a private diagnose instead. Your psychiatrist will determine if your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. The doctor might suggest treatment with medication or other methods. They'll probably also discuss your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you might have. They'll then decide what to do next and send you back to see your GP. In the majority of instances, a doctor will identify ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would prefer to take medication. They might also refer you back to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis It isn't easy to obtain an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, particularly in the NHS are not aware of how the condition presents in adults. They could also be biased against a diagnosis, or simply not consider the symptoms serious. It can be challenging to get a proper diagnosis. Persistence is rewarded. You'll need to go through a a specialist assessment with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked to explain why you believe that the symptoms you're experiencing might be related to ADHD. They will want to verify that your symptoms have been recurring for a long period of time and are having an impact on your life. This could involve getting old school records or asking family to fill out forms detailing your struggles in the past. Following your clinical assessment, you'll be able discuss whether you want to consider medication options. This usually involves an agreement to share care with your GP, where you will pay for the medication through an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to receive your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication at pharmacies. A private diagnosis will not be enough to qualify for reasonable adjustments or the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). You will need an NHS referral as well as a full examination by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to stand the best chance of getting medication via this route.