How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.

A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult diagnosis of adhd ADHD and Adult ADHD Diagnosis do not have much practical experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.

Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. It is essential to feel comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for less.

Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that 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 are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.

Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. 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 aren't treated of it. It can be challenging to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation.

Right to pick

If you live in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.

You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't 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 evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.

You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to assist you.

Ask your GP about medication options. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

You can request an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women, people of color and women born to females). The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for making this request on their website which includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.

A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than an ordinary 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 consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful to have a family member or acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you a diagnosis.

They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will give reasons, and you can request an additional referral.

Once you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over time.

Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. If you're a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.