How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They might request your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you can choose a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for an alternative. While it's 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 ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in addition to the interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital since it will be focused 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 formal diagnosis, your specialist will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're a student at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you are not read more hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms.
Right to Choose
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you are entitled to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It 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 the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance.
It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to look into medication options for you. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to the GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will explain why and request an additional referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is important that you receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student, for example you could request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.