How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for for a long time you can ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. 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, then you can go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist 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 can make it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for an alternative. It is essential to feel comfortable with your doctor but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might 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 does agree to make the referral, there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able 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 that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you may make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful if you have someone in your family or a close friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on adhd uk diagnosis of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options might be available. If you're a student at a university, for example you could request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.