How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence, including childhood histories - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt to use an individual service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not be forced to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth switching your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. 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 get rid of it. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 recommended that you find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need 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 GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to support you.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women as well as people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can give to a GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria they will explain why and you may request a second referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will website need a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. If you are a student at a university, for example you could request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.