How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to determine your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're unsure if a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. You could also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt to use an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, since the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to note that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for assistance.
You should also ask your GP to consider different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women, click here people of color and those who were born female). The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes a template form that you can provide to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons and request a second referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you are a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.