How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you are waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to establish a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to do this in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly if you want to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, because the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting 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.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes 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 grow out of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choice". diagnosis for adhd is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for 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 taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to help you.
It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can provide to a GP. They also have a list 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 an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why and you may ask for another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance may be available. If you're an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.