How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you’re waiting for a long time, request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will request evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurer if you’re uncertain if a psychiatrist’s services are included in your network. You could also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don’t have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You’ll need to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn’t be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut 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 for a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your adhd diagnosis uk (Google official).
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they decline for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you’ll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, because the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain 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 many professionals in the UK who don’t have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don’t require treatment because you’re not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is known as the ‘Right of Choice’. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you’re not able 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 cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. 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 should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment when you don’t wish to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private adhd diagnosis glasgow assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don’t believe you’re a fit for the criteria, they will explain why, and you can ask for another referral.
Once you have received 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 the matter with your GP. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is recommended to get adhd diagnosis uk a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may get diagnosed for adhd an assessment from your university. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students’ Allowance.