How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time, ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, you can contact your insurer to find out. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use an individual service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason it might be worth switching your GP in particular in the event that you plan to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only condition is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide support.
Ask your GP about medication options. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can provide to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often helpful if you have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. adhd diagnosis adults uk may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.