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 you can request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will request documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance company to find out. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms.
It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to be comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for less.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then look at your results and 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. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted along with the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are unable to do this for any reason it might be worth switching your GP, especially in the event that you plan to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and understand your situation.
Right to pick
If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can 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 this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to support 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 include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment if 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 increasing, especially for women or people of color, as well as those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe 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 meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask them to refer you back.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be website erroneous. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other options that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.