How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for an alternative. It is essential to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to do this in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be how do i get diagnosed for adhd asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to support.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially among women or people of color, as well as those born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often helpful when you have someone in your family or a close friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will give reasons, and you can ask for a second referral.
Once you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you're a university student for instance you may request an assessment. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable, and Disabled Student's Allowance.