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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD will often consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free or you may have to pay a small fee. adult diagnosis of adhd is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why your child or you may have difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child is suffering from ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they impact your daily life. They will also determine whether your child's or you're symptoms are more easily explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get an alternative one. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
If you've been referred for an assessment, the process should move quickly. The GP will inquire with you or your child to provide details about your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, a questionnaire and a medical exam. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They will also check if your or your child has experienced these symptoms previously and examine the data. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialist centers that can perform ADHD tests. You'll need to ask for a referral from your GP. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They might ask for your school or work records or talk with your teachers, parents or day care providers about your experiences as a child. It's important to remember that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior - it is also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you're functioning and may also want to check for other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and they will continue to have a significant impact on your life.
You will be offered medication whether you are an adult child or not. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. The private doctor can assist you with this and provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England, you have a legal right to choose your doctor and mental health team. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment via the internet with an expert. This is often a quicker route than going through your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you
Talk with your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it has affected your family and you. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there's guidance on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed this up.
Once you have been diagnosed and accepted, you will receive an appointment with psychiatrists for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine if they fit the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases, they might need to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also have to eliminate any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you can access ADHD medication through the NHS from your GP. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medications and CBT is the most efficient. However, everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you are unsure about which one to go with or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, you can make use of alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for a referral to these or call them directly. You can schedule a diagnostic assessment via video or phone call with most private companies. They will ask you to provide details about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as specific details about any medical history. They will also ask whether any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have symptoms of ADHD.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis faster. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions which can hinder your ability to concentrate, including depression and addiction disorders.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. It is because the majority of symptoms only appear as adults and can cause more problems as you age and face more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't get the right support as a young person.
It can be difficult to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of the minority group or are an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly analysing your symptoms.
