How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are 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 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 require evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested.
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. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for a private service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. Many medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for another one. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK, this will involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This is to help provide a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example 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 worthwhile to change 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, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, 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 including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choice". 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 know the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give 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 a specialist can make the diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance.
You should also seek advice from your GP to look into the options for medication for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can give to the GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. adult adhd diagnosis uk will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. adhd diagnosis uk adults will then review their findings and give you an assessment.
They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask for a referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. If you're an undergraduate student, for example you could request an assessment. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.