How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP 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 about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
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 an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the symptoms.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP.
It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you.
adhd diagnoses should also consult your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request 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 a problem that is growing particularly for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can hand to the GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reason and you can ask for a referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options could be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your school. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students the'Allowance.