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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD Talk to your GP. They will take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD will often consult their doctor first. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live it could be free or you may be required to pay a fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
adhd diagnosis adults uk can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms aren't able to be taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why you or your child might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child has ADHD Based on their observations, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also look at how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they affect your 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).
We suggest you try to find an alternative GP If your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for a referral however it's well worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you have been referred. The GP will request you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The doctor 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 look to see if you or your child has experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that are able to carry out ADHD assessments. You will need to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They can take a long time to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may request your work or school documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain works. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to assess other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. However, we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
You will be given medication, whether you are an adult or not. It is important to note that, if you are diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinics should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with paperwork for a shared care agreement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
If you're located in England, you have a legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. If you think that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule a private appointment online with a specialist in your area. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
Speak to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child could have ADHD. Although they won't be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected you and your family. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to speed up the process if they have a lengthy waiting list.
Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases it is necessary to rule out other conditions before making their decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any substance or alcohol abuse out.
If they determine that you have ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to obtain a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you're unsure of which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem too long, you can choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which has a very helpful guide to help you 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 ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with most private companies. They will require you to provide details about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to be diagnosed. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate for a long time, such as addiction or depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. This is because the majority of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more challenges. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the right assistance as an infant.
Sometimes it can be difficult to receive an diagnosis, especially in the case of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.
