How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you’re waiting for for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will require documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they may 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 can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use a private service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren’t trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you’re not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for an alternative. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how to get an adhd diagnosis as an adult they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how adhd diagnosed you’ve performed in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don’t require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have 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. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can’t refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how do you get diagnosed with adhd in adults it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a family member to support you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and How To Get An Adhd Diagnosis Uk your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial if you have family members or a friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will tell them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don’t think 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 want to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may 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 solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other support may be available. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students’ Allowance.