How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you are waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will assess you using 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 history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If how to diagnose adhd if you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurance company to find out. You could also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt for an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve.
Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for 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 on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be 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 look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide support.
You should also ask your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially among women as well as people of color and women born to females). The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful to have family members or a friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options could be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your school. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable, and Disabled Student's Allowance.