How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose an individual provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out a different one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not have to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select which location to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are unable to do this for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed your click here specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral 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 care. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. 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 do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might 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 they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview ahead of time and have a family member present for assistance.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include the drugs 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 satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. 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 environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other treatment options might be available. If you're a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.