How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They might 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. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance provider to determine the status. You could also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through an individual service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for another one. It is essential to be able to trust your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth changing your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive guidance 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 specialist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children grow out of it. It's not easy to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the chosen provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
It is important to note that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send 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 their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for doing this on their website which includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The interview read more will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful to have a family member or friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will inform you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you back.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medications, other assistance could be available. For example, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.