How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They might request your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurer to find out. You could 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 may choose to go through an individual service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print how to get an adhd diagnosis uk and give it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women, people of color and those born female). The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website, which includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.