How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms.
It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is especially important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to feel comfortable with your doctor however, you should not settle for less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for 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 use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. adhd diagnosis uk adults will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth switching your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, because the medical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. adhd diagnosis uk adults will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. 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, that adults aren't treated, and that children aren't treated of it. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the symptoms.
Right to choose
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement that 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 also recommended to learn about the waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask adhd uk diagnosis what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience 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 bring a family member present for assistance.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could 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 you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth) You can self-refer to a private evaluation. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with your psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will tell you why, and you can ask for another referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student, for example, you can request an assessment. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students the'Allowance.