How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting an extended period you can consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will examine you using a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance company to find out. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for a different one. While adhd diagnosis uk adults is important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you deserve.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in 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 have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in addition to the interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason it might be worth changing your GP, especially if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you, then you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will provide you with treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the symptoms.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make the 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 make use of your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women, people of color and women born to females). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. 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 you feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This could save you money over time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.