How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, you may opt for an individual service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get a diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is especially important in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be able to trust your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to do this for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular in the event that you plan to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to Choose
If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more information by contact website the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to support you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from 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 assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women, people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to the GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial when you have family members or a friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can save you money over time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student, for example you may request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.