15 Unquestionably Good Reasons To Be Loving How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may have ADHD. They must consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. You could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD will often seek out their doctor first. They will take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free, or you might have to pay. More details are available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you or your child may have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD through observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long your or child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking another one. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for a referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed swiftly after you've been referred. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms, and the specialist should carry out an interview, questionnaire and medical examination. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They will also look to see if you or your child has suffered from these issues in the past so they can compare. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centers that are able to perform ADHD tests. You will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You will probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you have been suffering from ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and continue to impact your life.
If adhd adults diagnosis 're an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that if you're diagnosed by a private doctor, you will initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private clinician will be able to assist you with this and provide your GP documents for a shared-care agreement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
If you're in England you have a legal right to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can book an online appointment with a specialist. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
Speak with your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child could have ADHD. While they may not be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. They must then refer you a specialist to be assessed and treated. If they are on a long waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed up this process.
Once you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a clinical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and assess whether they fit the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to rule out conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They might also have to eliminate any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you have ADHD, they will write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor can prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to pick or if NHS wait times seem too long it is possible to choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how you can do it.
4. Request an assessment with a specialist
In the UK there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for the referral, or contact them directly yourself. You can request a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they impact you and your daily routine. They might also want to know details about your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to be diagnosed. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with you. They may also look into other medical conditions that may affect your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more issues as you age and encounter more challenges. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing your symptoms.