How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for a long time, request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They will require documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure adhd diagnosis uk adults is licensed and experienced 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. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
It is essential to build a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for another one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to choose
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to remember that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to get 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 doctor 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 the waiting time is too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.
You should also consult your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can hand to a GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family member or acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and you may ask for an additional referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.