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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD Speak to your GP if you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They aren't able to diagnose you there and then but will probably refer you for an assessment in the clinic. This will take place with an audiologist (or psychologist, in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales) and they'll evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They will also assist you receive DSA and reasonable adjustments by writing a report. 1. Speak to your doctor If you or your child is suffering from issues with ADHD the first step is to visit your GP. If they suspect you may have ADHD, they will refer you to an expert, if required. It is advisable to bring a few notes with you to the appointment. Your GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess your ADHD symptoms. This procedure will take 45 to 90 minutes and involves checking the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as asking about your family history and any other mental health issues you or your family have suffered from in the past. You may also be asked to fill out some questionnaires. The psychiatrist will determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and will also discuss with you medication options. It's important to realise that it can be difficult for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD because they have learnt how to mask their symptoms. The psychiatrist will want to establish 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 an assessment from your NHS GP, it is worthwhile to consider requesting a private assessment through one of the many services available on the Right to Choose website. It can be frustrating to have to deal with GPs, psychologists and nurses who are ignorant of the science behind ADHD However, persistence is key. 2. Ask for a reference A clinical diagnosis is needed to qualify for Disability Living Allowance and reasonable adjustments. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland NICE guidelines give you the right to request an NHS paid specialist ADHD assessment. Your doctor may ask you to fill out the questionnaire which will be assessed by psychiatrists. They might also request to speak to other professionals that have been around you, for example, teachers or healthcare workers. They will look for a pattern that matches the symptoms of ADHD in adults that have been present from childhood. They will also investigate whether other health issues like thyroid or depression might be the cause of your symptoms. Your Psychiatrist may discuss treatment options with you after the examination. This could include medication, which can be beneficial for many people who suffer from ADHD. If you decide to proceed with medication your Psychiatrist will refer you back to your GP for shared care management. If you are not ready to take medication or take medication, you can ask your Psychiatrist for an independent evaluation of psychological or occupational therapy. This will help you manage your symptoms and enhance your life skills. It may also be useful to join a support group for people suffering from ADHD. They can be very helpful and comforting. adhd uk diagnosis with ADHD find they have to be more arduous than other people to manage their day-to-day lives. This can cause low self-esteem, and frustration over their lack of success at work or in relationships. They might also feel that people don't understand their situation and may become angry or resentful. There are a variety of ways to get assistance. You can join online groups or attend meetings in person. These services are provided by many good organisations. 3. Get an opinion from a different source. A second opinion can be beneficial for a lot of people. This is especially true when you've been misdiagnosed, or if you have a condition such as depression or anxiety which could co-exist alongside ADHD. Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis of mental health disorders and can offer a clear understanding of what you're going through and how it may be affecting your life. It is essential to discuss your mental health history in depth with a psychiatrist as this can affect whether you meet the criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This can be done by self-referral or a GP referral, or you can make an appointment with a private doctor and schedule an appointment with a specialist in adult ADHD. If you decide to self-referral, it is recommended to gather any information you have prior to your appointment, and also taking notes of the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are impacting on different areas of your life. You can also ask for copies of your medical records to be sent to the psychiatrist prior to when you meet with them. A specialist in adult ADHD will give a thorough analysis of your symptoms. They will look at how they affect your daily functioning and will look for co-morbidities, such as depression or anxiety. They will typically use questionnaires and a consultation with a doctor to establish a diagnosis which they will then follow with a letter. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you access the support you need including medication and psychotherapy, to help manage your symptoms. It can also assist you to access support for disabled people, such as Disabled Students' Allowance as well as reasonable adjustments in the college or school. 4. Take a medical assessment If your GP believes that you may have ADHD and that it's significantly affecting your life and your family, they'll recommend an assessment in a clinical setting. This is typically a thorough process which involves talking to someone (often a psychiatrist) about your symptoms, and filling out questionnaires and checklists. They might also need to see your school records or talk to someone who knew you as an infant. This is because it's not thought that ADHD can develop in adults and they'll need to confirm that your symptoms were present from childhood. If you've been referred to an assessment, you'll most likely be given the option of which provider to see. Patients in England have the legal right to choose their mental health providers and also 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. You may be able to obtain an assessment from your school in case you're an undergraduate student. If they are willing to provide it the results is sufficient to receive support from reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance. They won't be in a position to prescribe medications, so you might think about obtaining an independent diagnosis instead. Your doctor will determine whether your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. They might suggest medications or other treatments. They'll likely also talk about your long-term goals as well as any other concerns you may have. Then, they'll make a choice regarding what following that and return you to your GP with an action plan. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADHD will be followed by a discussion of whether you'd like to look into medications and a referral back to your GP for this to happen. 5. Get a diagnosis Adult ADHD can be difficult diagnose. Many medical professionals, especially in the NHS do not understand how ADHD manifests in adults. They could be biased or do not consider symptoms as serious. This can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, however perseverance will pay off. You'll need to undergo a a specialist assessment with a psychiatrist, nurse specialist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD in the UK. You will be asked the reasons why you believe the symptoms you are experiencing could be due to ADHD. They'll want to know that your symptoms last for a long time and have a significant effect on you. This could involve collecting old school records, and asking family members to fill in reports on how you've struggled in the past. After your clinical assessment you'll be able to discuss whether you want to think about alternative medications. Most likely, this will be an agreement to share care with your GP that allows you to pay for the medication via an NHS prescription. Alternatively, you can choose to obtain your diagnosis privately and purchase the medication through a pharmacy. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis noting that a private diagnosis will not necessarily qualify you for reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). You'll need an NHS referral and a full assessment by an ADHD specialist psychiatrist to have the best chance of obtaining medication through this route.