How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will assess you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you have health insurance then the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurer to find out. You could also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may opt for a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately diagnose your symptoms.

Once you find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to be able to trust your doctor but you should not settle for less.

Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.

Ask your doctor

If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.

Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an 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 focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.

After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. 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, from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to receive a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.

Right to Choose

If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information.

It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download an email 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 only an expert can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.

If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how to get diagnosed with adhd it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to support.

Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. You may also consider 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 when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you a diagnosis.

They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons and request a second referral.

Once you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or Adult ADHD Diagnosis not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.

It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.