How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose.

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

Find a psychiatrist

Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're not sure if a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurer to find out. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to.

Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can 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 reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD.

Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for 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, especially in the event that you plan to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

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. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've been performing in various areas of your life.

After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student at a university, your specialist read more may recommend an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain 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 grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation.

Right to Pick

If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose which provider. 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 to know the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or asking your GP.

It is important to remember that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert 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 download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider.

You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.

Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you're not content 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 particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the 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 a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis.

They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons and you may request a second referral.

After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to 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 rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your university. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.