How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will require documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance company to find out. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is essential to build a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be able to trust your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select which location to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
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 vital, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right choose which provider to refer you to. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only condition is that the provider is registered under 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 check here choice before you contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
You should also ask your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website, which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will explain why, and you can ask for another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other options that can help with your symptoms. If you're a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.