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 very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested.

Find a Psychiatrist

They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.

Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you deserve.

Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you have the option of choosing which provider 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 offer adult assessments online, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount.

Ask your GP

If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.

Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.

After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. 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 then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge 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, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition.

Right to pick

If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for the 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 that you find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details.

It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider.

If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to support.

It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try 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 a problem that is growing particularly for women as well as people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can hand to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.

A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial when you have family members or a friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.

They will tell you if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will tell you why, and you can ask for an additional referral.

After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the website end.

It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. For example, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.