How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance company to determine the status. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out an alternative. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different 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 the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth switching your GP particularly when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can 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 GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this 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 may make use of your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and have a family member present for assistance.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. diagnosing adhd include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for making this request on their website, which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you back.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.