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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD Talk to your GP If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to diagnose you right there and then but will probably refer you for an assessment in the clinic. This will be done with psychiatrists (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll test you for ADHD. They'll also write an assessment report to help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA. 1. Talk to your GP If you or your child have an issue with ADHD, the first step is to see your GP. They will be able to determine whether they think that you have ADHD and refer you to a specialist when needed. It might be useful to take written notes during this appointment. Your GP should then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment of your ADHD symptoms. This process will take between 45 and 90 minutes. It involves examining the ADHD diagnostic criteria, requesting information about your family history and identifying any mental health issues you or your family members may have faced in the recent past. You might be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will then determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and will discuss medication options with you. It's important to realise that it can be difficult for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD because they have learned to hide their symptoms. The psychiatrist will need to verify 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 difficulties, such as anxiety or depression. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis from your NHS GP, it is worth seeking a personal evaluation with one of the numerous services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be a bit difficult to deal with GPs who don't understand the science behind ADHD. However, persistence is key. 2. Ask for a referral A clinical diagnosis is needed to qualify for Disability Living Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE Guidelines grant the right to request an NHS-funded specialist ADHD assessment. Your doctor will likely request you to fill out an assessment questionnaire. The results will be evaluated by a specialist psychiatrist. They may also ask to speak to other professionals that have worked with you, for example, healthcare professionals or teachers. They will search for signs that are similar to those of ADHD in adults and have been present since the age of. They will also examine other health conditions like thyroid or depression to determine if they might be the cause of your symptoms. After the test the 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 take medication, your Psychiatrist could recommend you to your GP to share care management. If you don't want to take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent assessment of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. You might also find it useful to join a group for those suffering from ADHD. They can be very supportive and reassuring. Many people suffering from ADHD find that they need to do more work than others to get through their day-to-day lives. This can mean they have low self-esteem and can be dissatisfied with their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel they aren't understood by others and become angry or bitter. There are many ways you can seek support. You can join online groups or go to meetings in person. There are lots of organizations that provide these services. 3. Get another opinion For many, getting an additional opinion can be very helpful. This is especially true in the event that you've been misdiagnosed, or have a condition like depression or anxiety that could coexist with ADHD. Psychiatrists are specialists in the diagnosis of mental health issues and can offer an accurate understanding of what you are going through and how it may be impacting your life. It is important that you discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist, as this can affect whether you are able to meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. You can do this either by self-referring or obtaining a GP referral, or you can go private and book an appointment with a specialist for adult ADHD. If you decide to go through the self-referral process it is a good idea to gather any supporting information you might have before your appointment, and noting down the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different aspects of your life. You can also ask for a copy of your medical records to be sent to the psychiatrist before you meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will provide a thorough assessment of your symptoms. They will assess how they affect your daily functioning and also look for complications, like depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a medical interview to reach a diagnosis, which they'll follow up with a formal letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can allow you to access the support you need to manage your symptoms, such as medication and psychotherapy. It can also help you access support for disabled people, like Disabled Student's Allowance and reasonable adjustments at the college or school. 4. Have a medical evaluation If your GP believes that you have ADHD and believes that it affects your life in a significant manner then they'll refer you to a medical assessment. This is a lengthy procedure that involves speaking with someone (often psychiatrists) and answering questionnaires and checklists. They may also ask to examine your school records or talk to anyone who knows you well as when you were a child. This is because it's not thought that ADHD develops in adults, and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms have been present since childhood. After you've been recommended for an assessment you'll probably be given a choice of the provider you'd like to visit. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers as well as their local NHS trust. This is known as Right to Choose and you can find helpful information about how to use it on this webpage from 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 sufficient to get support from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They're not in a position to prescribe medications, so you might think about obtaining a private diagnose instead. Your psychiatrist will determine whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. They may recommend medications or other treatments. They'll likely also discuss your long-term goals and any other concerns you may have. They'll decide on what to do and send you back to your GP. In the majority of cases, a doctor will diagnose ADHD and then discuss with you whether or not you would like to think about taking medication. They might also refer you to your GP. 5. Get a diagnosis It can be difficult to get an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS, lack understanding of how the condition manifests in adults. They could be biased against an diagnosis, or not take the symptoms seriously. It can be difficult to determine the correct diagnosis. Persistence pays off. You'll need a specialist assessment by a psychologist, specialist nurse or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals who are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will need to describe how you're experiencing symptoms and the reason you believe they might be caused by ADHD. They will want to confirm that your symptoms have been present for an extended period of period of time and are having an impact on your life. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis could include collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill out forms about how you have suffered in the past. After your clinical assessment you'll be able decide if you would like to consider medication options. Typically, this will require an agreement for shared-care with your GP where you pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. Or, you may opt to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through the pharmacy. It's important to note that a private diagnosis won't necessarily suffice to qualify for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). For medication to be obtained through this method, you'll require a referral from NHS and a complete evaluation of ADHD by psychiatrist.