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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student, it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask how to get an adult adhd diagnosis what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you may use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to support you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially among women or people of color, as well as those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial to have a family member or acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment.
They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you're a student at a university for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.
