How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting an extended period and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will require evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. 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, you can choose a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. It is important to be able to trust your physician but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may 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 the referral then there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to 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 this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. diagnose adhd will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why, and you can ask for an additional referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased 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 options that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your university. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students the'Allowance.