How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurance provider to find out. You could 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, then you can go through a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out another one. It is important to be able to trust your doctor but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor could refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to go on to apply for a 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 before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. 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 lot 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 might be told you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, 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 is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your experience 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 assist you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with an assessment.
They will inform you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why, and you can request another referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you 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 as they can be misleading. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you're a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.