How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting an extended period, request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider.

A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.

Find a psychiatrist

Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talking. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You could also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You will have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be able to trust your physician however, you should not settle for less.

Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, assessment and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to use your right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers 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 who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and assessment any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.

Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, since the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting 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.

Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you're an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue.

Right to choose

If you reside in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right 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 also find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.

It is worth noting that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor 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 may make use of your Right to Choice and select a different provider.

When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.

Ask your GP about options for medications. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this 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 as well as in person.

A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often beneficial if you have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.

They will tell them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you again.

Once you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.

Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to get adhd diagnosis the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance could be available. If you are a student at a university, for example you could request an assessment. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.