How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting a long time and are not getting an assessment, request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and the impact on various aspects of your life. They will require evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You will have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be able to trust your physician but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will go over your results to 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 providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to do this for any reason it might be worth changing your GP particularly if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and 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 at a university Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is worth noting that GPs are here general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for assistance.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with an assessment.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will tell you why and ask for an additional referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options may be available. For example, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your school. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.