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 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 assess you using a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt to use an independent 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 to be. This can make it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can utilize your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in addition to the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student, it is likely that your doctor will suggest 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 and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children grow out of it. It's not easy to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses 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 unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can 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 get your ADHD evaluated. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend to provide feedback. adhd diagnosis in adult will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will tell you why and you may request 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 and you might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can 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 erroneous. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.