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 and are not getting an assessment, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and the impact on various aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. You can 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 may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is important, especially 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 important to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select the location where you will get 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 could significantly 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 refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, since the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student 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 it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to choose
If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement that a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you find out the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can 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 if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for making this request on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your 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 is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with your psychiatrist. diagnosing adhd in adults will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why, and you can request an additional referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. You should get a professional and objective assessment to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support could be available. 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 the'Allowance.