How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can 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 gives patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurance provider to find out. You could also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic 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 need to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you're entitled to.

Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life 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 where to get your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly.

Ask your GP

If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of adhd adult diagnosis and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this will require an 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's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to do this in any way, it could be worth switching your GP, especially if you want to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.

Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist 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 the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a specialist who will listen and understand your condition.

Right to Pick

If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for the 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 of the provider before you contact them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.

It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.

You should also inquire with your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.

When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for support.

You should also seek advice from your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

You can have an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women, people of color and those born female). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to doing this on their website, which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.

A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial if you have family members or a friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you a diagnosis.

They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request for a referral.

After you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end.

It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, Adult ADHD Diagnosis if are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.