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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD, people often encounter a network gatekeepers. It is clear that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs aren't adhering to national clinical guidelines or their legal obligation to stop discrimination and health inequality.
how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may not be adequately regulated as per reports from anecdotal sources. This could lead to uncoordinated diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting, which can cause difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How can I get a medical diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind, which means it is only diagnosed by a medical professional who has specialist expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only ones qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). Patients with mental health issues frequently report symptoms of ADHD, especially those who have been struggling for a long time. This means that they be feeling stuck in their current circumstances and are desperate for assistance to improve their lives. However it is true that the NHS can be difficult to navigate for people seeking a diagnosis.
You can get an assessment through the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and should be able refer you for an assessment but you may have to wait until the specialist is available.
To determine if you have ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have experienced in the past as well as your family history. To assess your behavior, they will observe you in different situations, like at school, home, or work. They will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask about your relationships with friends, social life and any other activities that you engage in regularly.
A specialist will examine all the evidence before arriving at an assessment. They will use criteria like being constantly distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span or difficulty focusing at school or work and having difficulty staying focused on tasks, not finishing things and being a lot of active. The diagnosis is determined by a pattern of traits that can be observed in different settings and affect your functioning.
In recent months, there is a surge in the number of high-profile people who have spoken out about their experiences with being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in people seeking an assessment. This can lead to long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to avoid the NHS through assessments at private clinics, which can be expensive. It is important to find a healthcare provider you are comfortable with and answer honestly about your health issues.
What happens during the assessment?
If you're self-referring or recommended by your GP the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is essentially the same. The person who is conducting the assessment will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. For instance, "What problems do experience at home?" "How does your symptoms impact your work?" "Do you have other symptoms you think could be related to ADHD?"
You may have to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior your appointment, based on where you are going for your evaluation. Complete these forms in a timely manner will ensure that you don't have any delays in your appointment. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD to ensure that you recognise the signs and the ways they affect your life in detail.
The assessment will usually include an interview with psychiatrists, specialist nurses or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then go over the treatment options with you, which may involve medication.
It is important to keep in mind that GPs, nurses and psychologists aren't as familiar with adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists and therefore it is essential to practice and prepare your symptoms before you go to the test. This will allow you to explain your symptoms in a way they can comprehend. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have had an impact on every aspect of your life from relationships to work and how they've changed over time.
As part of the evaluation, you could be required to take certain tests, like the test for allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical issues, your therapist might suggest further tests to check for these issues, too.
If you are self-referring, or are enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is crucial to know that even though you pay for your private examination but you will still need to wait for NHS funded appointments - and this can vary between NHS trusts and from one physician to another.
What happens if I don't get an appointment?
You can be diagnosed with ADHD in the event that you have a number of factors that favor you. It can be harder for some groups of people to get diagnosed, for example, those who are of color or a woman at birth, or if you have other mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
If you're struggling to get an assessment, speak to your GP and ask for an appointment. It is also a good idea to locate a private psychiatric service that specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They often provide a much faster service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and decide whether they fit the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also look for other possible causes for your issue like depression, anxiety or thyroid problems. This can be a very thorough process, and it's not always easy for adults to provide all the evidence required (for instance, they may struggle to locate old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard).
You might not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP agrees. This is because a psychiatrist can only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. If they believe you do not meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason.
In the UK, it is legal in the UK to get treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when you have a diagnosis of ADHD. You may be able to get medication through an Individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. You may be referred a specialist in your local area who will prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they do not always plan for long intervals of titration.
It can be helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and online. They can be very positive and reassuring and can assist to talk through your experience with others who understand.
How can I get treatment?
Doctors can refer adults to specialists ADHD services to be assessed and prescribed medication. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams. For instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not recognize these reports as legitimate and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to healthcare, notably long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below for more details).).
Support groups at the meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to circumvent the lack of NHS funding in this area. Private clinics provide a more accurate, professional and speedier diagnosis. They can also help screen for comorbidities such as depression and anxiousness which are common in ADHD. They assist with titration of the final dose. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200 however, the diagnosis and titration are priced separately.
The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD varies from person to. The most common treatment is medication, and this may be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial like education and training for parents and families of those with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have found that a change in their diet helps, as well as developing a sleep-friendly routine. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, though the evidence isn't as strong.
It is unacceptable that many adults suffering from ADHD aren't able to receive the treatment and care they require on the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK governments and regulators and clinical organizations. People with ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and in line with their legal rights. To meet this demand, it is vital to plan for long-term funding and to commission health, social care and judicial services together. The current situation cannot be long-term and has a negative effect on families, individuals and society. It is time to invest in this area.
