How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're not sure if a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. 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 may choose to go through an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. It is essential to feel comfortable with your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less.

Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list 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 are able to provide online assessments for adults, Adult ADHD Diagnosis which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.

Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse 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 agrees to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, as the medical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.

Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. 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 a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the condition.

Right to Choose

If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is called 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 that you find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.

It is worth noting that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.

You should also inquire with your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose another provider.

When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it 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 assist you.

Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy 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 looks like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can provide to your GP. On their website, Adult ADHD Diagnosis they also provide a list of the providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private adult adhd diagnosis appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.

They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will give reasons and you may request a second referral.

Once you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.

You should not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.