How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will request evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to do this in any way, it could be worth changing your GP, especially if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with here recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive a diagnosis 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 aren't treated of it. It's not easy to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement that 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 also recommended to know the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable 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. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to support.
It is also advisable to consult your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women as well as people of color and those born female). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other support available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.