Why We Why We How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD And You Should Too

How to Get adhd in adults diagnosis With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
Doctors are often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child may be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns very seriously and refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Based on the location of your home the assessment could be free of charge or you may be required to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms aren't able to be taken seriously. It's important to know that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child may have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider how long your or child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they affect your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your symptoms are more easily explained by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get an alternative one. It isn't easy to get an appointment but it's worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an evaluation the process should be completed quickly. The doctor will request details of your or your child's symptoms. 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 should also check if your or your child has had similar symptoms before and compare the information. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialization centers that are able to carry out ADHD tests. You'll have to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely have to fill in some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may ask to see your work or school documents or talk to your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as when you were a child. ADHD is more than just a behavior problem. It's also connected to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to assess other mental health issues, 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 was only a problem for children. However, we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and still have a significant impact on your life.
If you're an adult or a child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to help you in this process and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health provider and healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your area. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
Talk with your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. Although they won't be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there is guidance on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed things up.
Once you have been diagnosed and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see an Psychologist to be assessed and diagnosed. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine if they meet 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 instances, they might need to rule out other conditions before making a decision, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They might also need to exclude any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is most efficient, but every person is different.
If you reside in England and are a resident of England, it's important to know that you are legally entitled to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about which provider to choose, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how you can do it.
4. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly yourself. The majority of private providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they affect you and your daily life. They may also request details of your medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your doctor will guide about the assessment process. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have the signs of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you don't know a GP that will recommend you to one. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if needed.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts, they will be able to search for more evidence to support it by asking you questions or talking to those who know you well. They'll also take into consideration other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction and depression.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood, not children. This is because most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they may cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more problems. This is especially true if you didn't get the right support as a child.
Sometimes it's difficult to receive a diagnosis, particularly when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.