How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD Patients often have to deal with an array of gatekeepers in the network. It is clear that many of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, are not following the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination.
Certain private ADHD clinics might not be properly regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This can lead to different thresholds for diagnosis, and assessment reporting, which can create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I get a diagnosis?
ADHD is a mental health issue that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with special expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have been struggling for a long period of time. adhd uk diagnosis means that they can feel stuck in their current circumstances and are in desperate need of help to improve their life. However the NHS can be a challenge to navigate for those who are seeking diagnosis.
It is possible to get an diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for a referral to see a specialist. Your GP will take your concerns seriously and could refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you may need to wait until the specialist is available.
In assessing you for ADHD health experts will examine your family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues you have had in the past. To evaluate your behavior, they'll observe you in various situations, like at school, home or at work. They will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They might inquire about your social life, your relationships, and other activities that you do frequently.
A specialist will consider all the evidence before making a diagnosis. They will use criteria like being unrestful and fidgety throughout the day and having an insufficient memory for short-term events or difficulty focusing or keeping up in school or at work, not completing tasks and being extremely active. The diagnosis is determined by an array of characteristics that can be seen in a variety of environments and affect your performance.
In recent months there has been an increase in the number of celebrities talking about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase of people seeking an assessment. This can lead to long waiting for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to bypass the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics which can be costly. It is important to choose a healthcare provider that you trust and be honest about your health issues.
What happens during the assessment process?
The method of the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person who is conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your life, such as "What difficulties do you encounter at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you experience other symptoms that you think might be related to ADHD?"
Depending on where you go for your evaluation, there may be various forms or questionnaires for you to fill out prior to your appointment. Making sure you complete these forms in a timely manner will help to avoid any delays in your appointment. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to recognize them and talk about their impact on your life.
The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff or a qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then go over treatment options with you, which may involve medication.
Remember that GPs and nurses aren't as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. Therefore, it is important to plan your symptoms and practice them prior to when you attend the examination. This will enable you to communicate the impact that your symptoms are having in a manner that they can understand. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have impacted on every aspect of your life, from work to relationships and how they've changed in time.
As part of the evaluation, you could be required to take certain tests, like the test for allergies. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to determine if you have other medical problems.
You could be self-referring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll need to wait until you can get an appointment that is funded by the NHS. This varies from NHS trust to NHS trust, and from clinician to clinician.
What happens if I don't get an answer to my question?
You can be diagnosed with ADHD when you have several factors that favor you. Some groups may have a harder time getting diagnosed. For instance that they are of color, were assigned female at birth or if they have other mental health diagnoses such as depression or bipolar disorder.
If you're having difficulty getting a diagnosis, talk to your GP and ask for a referral. You could also find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They often provide more rapid service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if they match the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also look for other possible causes for your issue for example, anxiety, depression or thyroid problems. It can be a lengthy process and adults may not have all the information they need.
You might not be diagnosed with ADHD even you and your GP accepts. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD if they believe that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe that you are not meeting the criteria, they will tell you why.
In the UK, it is legal to access treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if you have a diagnosis of ADHD. You could be able get medication through an Individual funding request, but it depends on where you live. You could be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists recommend Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always think of long titration cycles.
It is helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and online. They can be very supportive and reassuring and can assist to share your story with other people who can relate to your experience.
How can I get treatment?
Doctors can refer adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and treatment. These services are usually located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For instance the Maudsley Hospital, London, offers a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a large number of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as valid, and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to treatment, notably long wait times and rejection of referrals (see below).
Support groups have reported at the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers seek private assessment and diagnoses to circumvent NHS's lack of investment in this area. Private clinics provide a more accurate, professional and faster diagnosis. They are also helpful in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety that are prevalent in ADHD and also in helping in titrating to the final dosage of the medication. Prices vary from PS500 to PS1,200 however, often a diagnosis and titration is priced separately.
The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD is different from person to person. The most commonly used treatment is medication, and it can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial, such as education and training for families and parents of those with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have found that altering their diet and creating an appropriate schedule for sleep can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help ease their symptoms, although the evidence on these is less extensive.
It is inexcusable that many adults suffering from ADHD are not able to access the care and treatment they need on the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK governments and clinical and regulatory bodies. People with ADHD should have access to treatment without discrimination and in line with their legal rights. Long-term planning of funding, and a coordinated commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are vital to meet this unmet need. The current situation is not sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and the entire society is devastating. It's time to invest.