How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for an extended period you can ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for another one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is especially 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 prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it here has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to assist you.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider different options for your medication. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to doing this on their website, which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you're a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.