How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will request documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for a different one. It is important to be able to trust your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In adhd uk diagnosis will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are unable to do this in any way, it could be worth switching your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various aspects of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the symptoms.
Right to pick
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your past experiences 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 a family member present for assistance.
You should also seek advice from your GP to consider different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an individual 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, especially for women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to a GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of your diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will tell you why, and you can ask for a second referral.
After receiving an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. You should get 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 could be other options that can help with your symptoms. If you are a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.