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 extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They will require evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to determine the status. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use a private service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for another one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, since the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've been performing in various aspects of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many 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 it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't grow out of ADHD. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to Choose
If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to 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 also recommended that you know the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable 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 taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked read more to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. 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. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to support you.
You should also seek advice from your GP to look into the options for medication for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private 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 an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial if you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of your diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask them to refer you back.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over time.
Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.