How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for an extended period you can consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurance provider to find out. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private provider. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to 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 who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and 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 then it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. adult adhd diagnosis uk 's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by 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 send to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to support you.
You should also consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website, which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful when you have a family member or friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you again.
After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance you could request an assessment. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.