How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're not sure if a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll need to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for an alternative. It is essential to be able to trust your physician however, you should not settle for less.
adult adhd diagnosis uk can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, because the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student, it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You may be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can be difficult to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 recommended that you also find out the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have 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 download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
You should also consult your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for making this request on their website which includes template forms that 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 psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and you may request an additional referral.
After receiving an assessment, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medication via 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 since they could be inaccurate. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your school. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.