How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to 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 preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to get a diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various 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 choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to do this in any way, it could be worth switching your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life right now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing 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.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP will refer 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 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 to learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for 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 a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist 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 may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance.
You should also ask your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website that includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will give reasons and request an additional referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. adhd diagnosed may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options may be available. If you are an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.