Despite ADHD being predominantly genetically inherited there is, no blood test for ADHD. In many countries, getting an adult ADHD diagnosis can be tough. It may feel like a daunting challenge. Having been diagnosed four times ADHD myself (3 private, onc NHS) and having run an ADHD clinic, I offer some thoughts here on getting an ADHD diagnosis.
ADHD diagnostic criteria give a fairly narrow picture of ADHD. If you want to discover what’s been missed, like about our volatile emotions, then check out my illustrated page: What is ADHD? is a comprehensive guide to the impact of low dopamine and weakened executive functions have on our decisions, values, and lives.
Though these guidelines are focussed on the UK, much of the advice below applies wherever you live. You can check out the medical commitment to the formal diagnosis of ADHD here: European Consensus Statement on ADHD.
ADHD diagnosis is usually a pretty thorough process. A psychiatrist will, somewhat subjectively, evaluate whether your ADHD symptoms cause you significant impairment. They will wish to rule out other causes like depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. They want to confirm symptoms have been present since childhood – old school reports may have to be found in the back of a cupboard. See some of my school reports here.
Frequently, supporting evidence from relatives is requested, sometimes by completing forms about you and your childhood and even to attend your diagnosis. Not easy when your parents may be elderly, forgetful and disinclined to label their grown-up child.
Clinical assessment usually includes ADHD questionnaires (like the DIVA here) and a structured interview with a psychiatrist. Expect the psychiatrist to investigate current issues you may have in a work, family and social context. Typically they will verbally confirm your diagnosis and follow up with a formal letter. Medication is usually the first and only treatment on offer.
Getting an ADHD diagnosis usually demands a lot of patience and some resilience, but is it a worthy investment in your time and perhaps money? Most ADHD adults will see their lives significantly improve post-diagnosis. Though ADHD medication can play a big part of this, it is certainly not necessary or the only solution. Great benefits come from our changed perspectives with the certain knowledge of being ADHD. Effective new approaches, new behaviours, and new plans come from these insights and from taking a new ADHD approach to life.
Take along the DSM V Diagnosis Criteria, with the relevant symptoms circled, be ready to give some “extreme” instances of how they have negatively impacted you
Take a copy of the NICE Guidelines along, so that if necessary you can show that the NHS fully supports adult diagnosis
Once diagnosed you may be offered medication. The more experienced psychiatrists would agree that finding the right medication and the right dose can take from a few weeks to many months. If your specialist considers all medications to be the same it’s not a good sign! The three main drugs offered for adults are:
Andrew Lewis is an ADHD Coach, writer and founder of SimplyWellbeing. He has over 10,000 hours and 15 years of experience in coaching hundreds of ADHD executives, business professionals and creatives, and previously running a large ADHD support group and an ADHD diagnostic clinic. His business expertise comes from a twenty years career in software, from programming, through marketing, sales and running a few start-ups. His ADHD insight is personal, with decades understanding his own ADHD experience and in bringing up his ADHD daughter. He has published his writing primarily via this website, with interactive ADHD courses in development.