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 extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you can choose an individual provider. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing 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 knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for another one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for less.
home-page can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children will develop ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the service. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give 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 doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful if you have family members or a friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance you may request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.