How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They will require evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.

Find a Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You could also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through an individual service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to get an assessment. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is particularly important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve.

Your doctor may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your doctor

If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the clinical interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth switching 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, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, because the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.

After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.

There are many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to receive a diagnosis or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional who can listen and understand your condition.

Right to Pick

If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement that 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 recommended to find out the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.

You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It 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 the diagnosis.

Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for support.

You should also seek advice from your GP to consider different options for your medication. 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 might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned as female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.

A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often helpful when you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.

They will let you know if they 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 tell you why and ask for a second referral.

After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.

It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you're a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.