How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will request documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out an alternative. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In getting an adhd diagnosis , you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about 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 an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred for 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 for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student, 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 have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults aren't treated, and that children grow out of it. It can take persistence to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to Choose
If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert 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 an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists 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 focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will explain why, and you can request another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.
Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. For instance, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students allowance.