How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've discovered one. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for a different one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes comorbid conditions, that might 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. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made the doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student, it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who can listen and understand 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 are entitled to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This 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 this diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to 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 becoming more prevalent, especially among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for making this request on their website, which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial when you have family members or a friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will give reasons and you may ask for an additional referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.
It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Based on how to get an adhd diagnosis uk of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your school. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.