In a world that often values conformity and unwavering focus, those with ADHD find themselves navigating a unique set of challenges, and contrary to popular misconceptions, ADHD is not limited to childhood. Whether diagnosed in childhood or later in life, understanding and accepting an ADHD diagnosis can be a transformative experience, bringing clarity and compassion to individuals and those around them.
Research has shown that if left untreated, ADHD can destroy a personâs mental and physical health, so letâs take a look at why getting diagnosed, no matter what age, is of the utmost importance.
The Process of ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis.
You can get an ADHD assessment in the UK both through the NHS and privately. Going through the NHS is free and must be accessed by first speaking with your GP and filling in a screening tool called an âASRS formâ. Your GP should then refer you for assessment through the NHS waiting list. Currently, the wait is around 3 years, which is understandably is a long time to wait for something so detrimental to your wellbeing.
When it comes to your assessment, a psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse will assess you in person or via video call, which usually takes around 45 â 90 minutes. During this time, you will discuss your mental health and any family mental health history you are aware of, along with questions about hyperactivity and inattention, which will be assessed against the DSM V criteria for ADHD. Currently, to receive a diagnosis, you must display at least 6 symptoms of each which are present now and when you were a child. After the ADHD assessment, if a diagnosis is given, your clinician will discuss treatment options with you, which is usually either medication or therapy, or a combination of both and once you have this in place you will be referred to your GP for shared care.
Getting an ADHD assessment and diagnosis through a private ADHD clinic is often the quicker option, although not the cheapest. For most people, waiting to go through NHS pathways is often not viable, but paying for a private ADHD clinic is also not an option. In these situations, it is possible to get a shared care agreement with your GP and private provider, where you will pay for ADHD assessment and diagnosis but any medication that is needed can be paid for as an NHS prescription charge. However, it is extremely difficult to get your GP to agree to this, so it is important to ensure this is in place before proceeding privately.
Why Diagnosing Adults is Significantly Harder.
One of the main points to consider when diagnosis ADHD in adults compared to children, is that adults will most likely, have developed coping strategies and ways of masking their symptoms to appear more ânormalâ, whereas a child wonât have this social standard of âfitting inâ yet and display more overt hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Previously, ADHD was only considered to be a childhood disorder, with symptoms dissipating into adulthood, however, it is now widely known that for many these symptoms donât disappear, they merely change. There are many ways that ADHD manifests into adulthood and this change is what makes it so hard for both the individual and therapist to understand if they are ADHD symptoms or something else. Masking also plays a huge part in adult ADHD, and if done for a long period, becomes even more difficult to detect.
Another challenging aspect of diagnosing adults is the presence of other comorbidities, which can mimic ADHD symptoms, and be due to another disorder or caused by ADHD itself. Anxiety and depression are common among these comorbidities as well as an overlap between ADHD and ASD (autism spectrum disorder).Â
The Advantages of Getting a Late ADHD Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment.
It is possible to look at late-stage ADHD diagnosis as both life-changing and bittersweet and many people think the later they get into life, the less point there is to obtain a diagnosis, but this is where we think theyâre wrong. Gaining a diagnosis at any point in life can be extremely beneficial to your mental health. It can clarify behaviours you have felt are different from others and help you better understand yourself on a deeper level, not to mention how much it can help friends and family around you.
Gaining a late-stage diagnosis can also help you get treatment if needed, in terms of medication or therapy, which can help you manage symptoms and experience life with less stress, overwhelm, and burnout.Â
How to Cope with an ADHD Diagnosis Later in Life.
It would be ignorant not to discuss the feelings of anger and lost opportunities that getting a late-stage diagnosis can bring. Relief may be your first emotion, at finally having answers for something you have struggled with for so long, but that can quickly be followed by resentment at the health system for letting something so life-affecting go unnoticed. It may be that your ADHD has affected your input in school, job opportunities, struggling with establishing relationships, and feelings of loneliness. For these reasons, a lot of work managing grief is needed through therapy.
Beyond: Private ADHD Clinic in Manchester.
At Beyond, we truly believe that a diagnosis is important no matter what your age. Whether your child is displaying early symptoms, youâre in your late twenties struggling to get your career off the ground or youâre in the later stages of life and struggling with loneliness, and wondering why it feels so hard to establish a connection. We can help.
We are a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, founded by a team of people who have ADHD and powered by personal experience. We provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based ADHD assessment and treatment options for children and adults.
So, if you would like to start your journey into understanding yourself better, contact Beyond, a private ADHD clinic in Manchester today.
 Sources -
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/03/adult-adhd-diagnosis
https://adhdaware.org.uk/what-is-adhd/getting-nhs-diagnosis/
https://www.theminiadhdcoach.com/adhd-awareness/adult-adhd-vs-child-adhd
