How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you are waiting an extended period, ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important when you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for another one. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than you deserve.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If how to diagnose adults with adhd are a university student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is referred to as 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 that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order 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. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to assist you.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to a GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial when you have family members or a acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will give reasons and request a second referral.
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 may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.
It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medications, other assistance might be available. For instance, if are a student, you may receive an assessment from your school. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.