How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting a long time you can consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.

Find a psychiatrist

They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This can make it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.

It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is especially important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for another one. While it's important to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.

Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your doctor

If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK, this will involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be affecting 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 print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various areas of your life.

After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation.

Right to choose

If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able provide 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 find out more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.

It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor how to get diagnosed with adhd cannot 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 evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.

When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how to get diagnosed with Adhd it impacted your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you.

Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy 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 may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website, which includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. On their website, how to get diagnosed with adhd they provide a list of providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with an assessment.

They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will explain why, and you can ask for a second referral.

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

You should not depend on getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student, for example you could request an assessment. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.