How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting an extended period you can consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will assess you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will require evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you have health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You could also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an individual service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. how do you get diagnosed with adhd in adults do not have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for a different one. It is important to be able to trust your doctor but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request in any way, it could be worth changing your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, because the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student 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 do not have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you are entitled to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send 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.
You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your past experience 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 help you.
You should also seek advice from your GP to consider medication options for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to the GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request for a referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.