Do you think you have undiagnosed ADHD?
If you have wondered whether you might have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) you are not alone. We are finding increasing numbers of patients are keen to discuss whether this might apply to them.
This is a diagnosis which, by definition, is present from childhood, so typically we would expect most cases to have been identified at school: teachers have, for many years now, been trained specifically to identify and flag up children who they suspect might have this.
If you feel that you have symptoms consistent with ADHD, or someone who has been working with you (e.g. an educational learning support advisor) has suggested that you should consider seeking a formal diagnosis of ADHD, please read the information below which will help you to navigate what may be a long process.
How is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed and treated?
ADHD is usually diagnosed by a psychiatrist with a special interest in this condition.
Although there’s no cure for ADHD, it can be managed with appropriate educational support, advice and support for parents and affected children, alongside medicine, if necessary.
Medicine is often the first treatment offered to adults with ADHD, although psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also help.
Typical symptoms of ADHD in Adults
As ADHD is a developmental disorder, it cannot develop in adults without it first having appeared during childhood.
By the age of 25, an estimated 15% of people diagnosed with ADHD as children still have a full range of symptoms, and 65% still have some symptoms that affect their daily lives.
The symptoms in children and teenagers are sometimes also applied to adults with possible ADHD; but some specialists say the way in which inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness affect adults can be very different from the way they affect children.
For example, hyperactivity tends to decrease in adults, while inattentiveness tends to get worse as the pressures of adult life increase.
The following as symptoms are often associated with ADHD in adults:
- carelessness and lack of attention to detail
- continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
- poor organisational skills
- inability to focus or prioritise
- continually losing or misplacing things
- forgetfulness
- restlessness and edginess
- difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn
- blurting out responses and often interrupting others
- mood swings, irritability and a quick temper
- inability to deal with stress
- extreme impatience
- taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously
Please see this link for the full ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
I think I have undiagnosed ADHD. What is the process if I would like to be referred for further assessment?
We can refer patients who meet certain criteria to a psychiatrist for further assessment.
- Complete the patient referral questionnaire. If you click on this link then you will open an online form which you can save and send to us (see email address below). We need this to be able to refer you to either the local NHS CMHT or your chosen Right to Choose provider. If you are having trouble you may wish to ask a family member or friend to help you complete it.
- Write as much as you can (at least 2-3 sentences) for each of the questions in the form, in your own words. Give some real examples of challenges you face which have led to question why you might have ADHD and the restrictions you feel this has placed on your day-to-day activities. Be honest and open about any problems you have faced.
Please take your time to explain fully what the impact is on your day-to-day life as this is crucial to the referral and without this your referral may be rejected by the specialist team (CMHT). - Fill in ALL the boxes. If any area is thought to be lacking in information the CMHT might reject your referral.
- Email this information to [email protected] with “Request ADHD Referral” in the subject line. *IMPORTANT* Please state whether you would like to be referred to the local NHS CMHT or a specific Right To Choose Provider – this must be chosen by you – all we ask is that it is a CQC registered provider. This will then be saved to your record and passed to the secretarial team to progress to the next steps.
- Please note that the process of getting an appointment with the CMHT is likely to take some time. The target is for the assessment to be started within 18 weeks (4 months) although currently this at least a year if not more. Right to Choose providers may be able to see people more quickly but this will vary between providers, and you are advised to check with individual providers for up to date information on referral times and processes.
Our prescribing position at Talbot Medical Centre
- Shared care requests are reviewed on an individual basis
- Prescribing medication is not guaranteed
- Your GP may decline shared care if it is not appropriate
Prescribing of stimulant medication used to treat ADHD is currently done under a “Shared Care Agreement” with your psychiatrist. This requires that you remain under the care of the specialist – if you are discharged from their care then we can no longer prescribed your medication as it would no longer be “shared” care. If medication is recommended, this will be started and stabilised by the specialist before a request is made for Shared Care with your GP surgery. The specialist is still responsible for ensuring your medication is reviewed annually with their service, in addition to 6 monthly medication monitoring – if this is delayed we may not be able to continue prescribing your medication (you would need to get it directly from the specialist if they were willing to prescribe it for you). It will be your responsibility to ensure you remain under the care of the specialist and that your scheduled reviews take place in a timely manner.
