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 you can consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurer to find out. You could 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 an individual service. 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 who has ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll need to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online, which can reduce wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason it might be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally 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 receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make the process of obtaining 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 get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to pick
If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor 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 they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to support you.
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 medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't think check here you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and you may ask for a second referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support could be available. For instance, if are a student, you may receive an assessment from your school. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.