How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and the impact on various aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you can choose an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. Many medical professionals do not have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out another one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're a student at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to learn about the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have 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 is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and have a family member present for support.
You should also consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The interview 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 situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe another condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will explain why and request another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on adhd uk diagnosis and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.