How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They will request evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurance company to find out. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to be able to trust your physician, but you should not settle for less.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or contacting 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 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 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. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can give to the GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial if you have family members or a acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request for a referral.
After you have received an assessment, 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 may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This could save you money over time.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medications, other assistance could be available. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.