How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurer to find out. You could also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt to use an individual service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms.
It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for another one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you for 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 sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP particularly when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you, you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance 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 many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation.
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 a right to choose the service. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only condition is that the provider has 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 service of your choice 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 are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to assistance.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior 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 assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women, people of color and women born to females). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often beneficial if you have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you again.
After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you're an undergraduate student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.