How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for for a long time, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also request 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 choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for an alternative. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're a university student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. adult adhd diagnosis uk can learn more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If adhd uk diagnosis are too long, you can 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 have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview ahead of time and have a family member present for support.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women, people of color and those who were born female). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to doing this on their website that includes a template form 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 is likely to be slightly longer than an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and ask for another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options might be available. If you are a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.