How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for for a long time you can ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you can choose a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. Medical professionals don't have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with your current one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has a thorough 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 psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason it might be worth changing your GP in particular if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in various areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order 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 makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It's not easy to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. adhd diagnostic is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also know the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website that includes templates for forms you can give to your 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 assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have a family member or acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why, and you can ask for another referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medication, other support might be available. If you are a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.