20 Fun Informational Facts About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you think that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. Due to shortages of medication and delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD usually seek out their doctor first. adhd in adults undiagnosed will be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free of charge, or you might have pay a small amount. More details can be found on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It is important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why your child or you might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD based on their observations, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they affect your life. They will also look at whether your or your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get a different one. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you've been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms, and the specialist will conduct 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 check if your or your child has suffered from these symptoms before, so they can compare information. This is important since only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialization centers which can perform ADHD evaluations. You'll have to ask your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely need to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to complete so try and complete them before your appointment if possible.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about your experiences as a child. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't only a problem with behavior - it is also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will look at the whole picture of how you are functioning and may also want to check for other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now know otherwise. adhd in adults undiagnosed can persist well into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It is important to note that, when you're diagnosed privately then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinics is likely to be able assist you with this, and will usually provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement on shared care, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book a private appointment online with a specialist in your region. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you to your doctor
If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD the first thing to do is speak to your GP. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal way, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. They will then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer tips on how to speed up the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether they meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases, they might need to rule out other conditions before making their decision, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also have to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD they will send a form to your GP for the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can access ADHD medication through the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to pick or if NHS wait times are too long, you can choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how to 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 request your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly yourself. Most private healthcare providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, along with specific details about any medical background. They will also ask whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. It is more expensive however you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. If needed, your psychiatrist will refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you have ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can find more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They may also look into other health conditions which can affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction and depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms manifest in adults and cause more issues as you age and encounter more problems. This is particularly relevant if you didn't receive the right assistance as an infant.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis in the event that you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.