Nedergaardnoel3225
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you might have ADHD. They must take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to medication shortages there could be delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first port of call for those who suspect that they or their child could have ADHD. They can be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Based on the location of your home, this might be free of charge, or you might have to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to keep in mind that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why you or your child might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also consider whether your child's or your symptoms are better explained by a different illness (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking another one. It can be difficult to request a referral, but it is worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed swiftly after you've been sent to a specialist. The GP will ask you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, a questionnaire and a medical examination. 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 should also check if your or your child has experienced these symptoms before to be able to compare the information. This is important since the diagnosis of ADHD is only done by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centres that are able to perform ADHD tests. You'll have to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely have to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about your experiences as a child. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will look at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to check for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
If you're an adult or a child you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that in the event that you're diagnosed by a private doctor then you'll initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private clinician will be able to assist you in this process and provide your GP documents to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make a private appointment online with a specialist in your region. This could be a quicker and cheaper alternative to going through your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
If you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. While they may not be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way but they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. They should then refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there is information on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed up this process.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if they meet 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 instances, they might require a diagnosis like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol use out.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that your GP will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose', and it applies to adults as well as children. If you aren't sure which provider to choose or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. The majority of private providers will let you book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video call. They will require you to provide information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood and your strategies for coping. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will refer you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis faster. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if required.
A qualified psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. adhd diagnosis in adults uk will also consider other health conditions which can hinder your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed as adults, not children. It is because the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more issues as you get older and face more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.
Sometimes it is difficult to receive an diagnosis, especially if you are from a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.
