How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will require evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you have health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance you can choose a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to get an assessment. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This is to help provide a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing 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 who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. adhd diagnosis in adults can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It's not easy to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also know the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned 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 to be female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website which includes a template form that you can give 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 usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with your psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend to give 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 a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options might be available. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.