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

How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They will take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD will often consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns very seriously and refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on your location it could be free of charge or you might have to pay a fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially when you don't feel that 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 a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child might have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also look at how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or your own symptoms are more easily explained by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
We recommend that you find a new GP If your current one does not treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to request referrals, but it is worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you have been recommended. The doctor will inquire with you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, questionnaire, and a 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 whether you or your child has experienced these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centres which can conduct ADHD evaluations. You'll need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll likely have to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them prior to your appointment if possible.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may request your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about your experiences as a child. ADHD is more than an issue with your 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 look into other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will remain a significant influence on your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult child or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor the medication will initially come from the NHS. find out this here should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for a shared care agreement which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you think that the waiting 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 an appointment
Speak to your GP if you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal way however, they will 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 information on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed this up.
After you've been identified to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment with an Psychologist to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medication through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if you are in line with the ADHD criteria. 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 conditions like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also need to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they find that you have ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a form for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you will be able receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix of medications and CBT is most effective. However, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside 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 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If adult adhd diagnosis uk which provider to pick or if NHS wait times seem too long, you can choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with an expert
There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for a referral to these, or contact them directly yourself. Most private healthcare providers will let you book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they affect you and your daily routine. They may also want to know information about your medical history. They will be looking to find out if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood and strategies for coping. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. This may be a little more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to be diagnosed. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if required.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate, such as addiction or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is because the majority of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more problems as you get older and confront more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis in the event that you're a minority or an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about how an individual with ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly analysing your symptoms.