How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They will request evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. 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 can choose an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for another one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. 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 where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to utilize your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get 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 could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can take persistence to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose which provider to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, 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 cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to assistance.
It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to consider different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of colour and those 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 provide to the GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often helpful when you have family members or a friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back.
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 and you might be able to get an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. diagnosis adhd should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options that can help with your symptoms. If you're a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.