How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for an extended period, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance then you can go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately diagnose your symptoms.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for an alternative. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP in particular when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed 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 therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for 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 doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can take persistence to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the 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 provider prior to contacting them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot check here refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for doing this on their website that includes a template form that you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you an assessment.
They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will explain why and request another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.