how to get diagnosed with adhd to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers - known as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to assess your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

Psychologists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you can choose a private service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.

If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to be able to trust your doctor but you should not settle for anything less.

Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down wait times significantly.

Ask your doctor

If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in addition to the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD.

Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked to present examples and adult ADHD diagnosis be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life.

After a diagnosis is made your doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.

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

Right to choose

If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.

It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP, you can 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 only a specialist can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a family member to assist you.

Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person.

A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have family members or a friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.

They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason 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 route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.

You should not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you are a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.