How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance company to determine the status. You could also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for another one. It is important to be able to trust your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can utilize your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP, especially if you want to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a university student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Or that adhd uk diagnosis don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you 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.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist 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 an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a survey and attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can hand to your GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. adhd uk diagnosis will also review your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and you may ask for a second referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can help you save 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. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.