How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you are waiting a long time, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will examine you using a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will ask for evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can make it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out an alternative. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you 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 then it is likely that your therapist 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 nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk can make it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation.
Right to pick
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 are entitled to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) You can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and you may request another referral.
After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance may be available. For example, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your university. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students the'Allowance.