How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting an extended period and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to determine your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They will require evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience in dealing with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately diagnose your symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for another one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP in particular when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by 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 of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to the GP. adult adhd diagnosis uk have an extensive list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you're a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.