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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for for a long time you can consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you have health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. Medical professionals don't have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to Choose
If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose which provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then 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 cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to assistance.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and those born female). The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website, which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is usually helpful if you have someone in your family or a close friend who can give feedback. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult will then review their findings and inform you of your diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.
Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other support may be available. For instance, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your school. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.
