How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting for a long time, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you may opt to use a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for another one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount.
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 require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP, especially in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you, then you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told 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's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the chosen provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. diagnose adhd includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a 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 friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately if 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 or people of color, as well as those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and you may request an additional referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your school. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.