How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.

Find a psychiatrist

Psychologists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.

It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.

Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD.

Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth changing your GP in particular in the event that you plan to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, female because the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.

After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage adhd diagnosis adults uk private and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the issue.

Right to pick

If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information.

It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.

Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.

You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to support.

You should also seek advice from your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

You can request an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to the GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment.

They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask for a referral.

After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You will have 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 could save you money in the end.

Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other support could be available. If you are a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students allowance.