How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose an individual provider. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately diagnose your symptoms.
It is essential to build a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will give you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're a student at a university, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to remember that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide support.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to think about possible the options for medication for you. They may not want 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. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to the GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk will also include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. adhd diagnosis uk adults is often helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will tell them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons and ask for an additional referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. If you are a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.