How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for a different one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about read more how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a university student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called 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 recommended that you also know the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that 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 the waiting time is too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to making this request on their website which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your school. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.