How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
People with ADHD typically have to deal with a number of gatekeepers when seeking referrals or assessment and support. It is clear that a number of these gatekeepers, notably in NHS CCGs, do not follow the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination.
Some private ADHD clinics might not be properly regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This could lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting which could create difficulties when trying to transfer back to the NHS.
How do I get a medical diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has special expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only ones certified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). People with mental health conditions often report symptoms of ADHD particularly those who have struggled for a long period. This means that they can feel stuck in their current circumstances and need assistance to improve their lives. The NHS can be difficult for those looking for the diagnosis.
You can receive a diagnosis via the NHS by asking your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and could refer you to specialists for an evaluation. However, you may need to wait until the specialist is available.
In assessing you for ADHD, healthcare specialists will review the family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues that you've had in the past. To determine your behavior, they'll observe you in different situations, like at school, home, or work. You will be asked to write about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may also ask about your social life, relationships and any other activities that you engage in regularly.
A specialist will look at all the evidence before making an assessment. They will make use of criteria such as being persistently active and fidgety, possessing an insufficient amount of attention or difficulty focusing at work or at school or work, having difficulty staying focused on work or tasks, not completing them and being a lot of active. The diagnosis will be made based on the presence of these characteristics in multiple settings, affecting your functioning and if there is a distinct pattern that has remained for at minimum six years.
In the last few months, there has been a rise in the number of prominent individuals who have opened up about their experiences being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a rise in the number of people seeking a diagnosis, which can lead to long waiting times for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This can be expensive. It is essential to choose a healthcare provider that you can trust and be honest about the symptoms you are experiencing.
What happens during the process of assessment?
Whether you're self-referring or getting referred by your GP the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is similar. The person who is conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your life, such as "What problems do you experience at home?", "How do your symptoms impact on work?", and "Do you have any other symptoms you believe might be related to ADHD?"
You may be required to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment, based on the location you're going to for your evaluation. Making sure you complete these forms in a timely manner will help to avoid any delays during your appointment. It's also important to become familiar with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to recognize the signs and the ways they affect your life in detail.
The test will usually involve an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nursing staff or a qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health overall and the specific signs of ADHD to determine if they are being caused by any other condition or are not related to any other condition (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss possible treatment options with you which can involve medication.
Be aware that nurses and GPs will not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. Therefore, it is important to plan your symptoms and practice them before you go to the examination. This will enable you to communicate the impact that your symptoms are having in a manner that is easily understood by them. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have had an impact on every aspect of your life from work to relationships and how they've changed over time.
There may be tests done as part of your assessment for example, the blood test to look for any allergies. Your therapist might suggest additional tests to check whether you have any other medical conditions.
If you self-refer, or enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to remember that, even if you pay for your private evaluation however, you must wait for NHS scheduled appointments - and this can differ between NHS trusts and also from one doctor to another.
What is the outcome if I fail to get a diagnosis?
There are a variety of factors that could prevent you from being diagnosed with ADHD. Certain groups could be more difficult to get diagnosed. For instance when they are of color, were assigned female at birth or if they suffer from other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or depression.
If you are struggling to get an answer, you can talk to your GP about it and request an appointment with a psychiatrist. You could also find a private psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD tests. They can offer a faster service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also determine if there are other causes of your problem for example, depression, anxiety, or thyroid issues. It's a long process, and adults may not have all the information they require.
It is possible that you are not diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP is in agreement. This is because a psychiatrist will only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they believe that you don't meet the criteria, they will tell you why.
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, it is legal in the UK to receive treatment through the NHS. This applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You may be able to receive medication through an individual funding request, but it depends on where you live. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk could be referred to the right specialist in your area who will prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists recommend Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first and don't plan long titration phases.
It is beneficial to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and on the internet. They can be helpful and reassuring. It can also be helpful to share your story with others who understand.
What can I do to receive treatment?
Adults can be directed to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a nationwide ADHD adult diagnostic service. However there are many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports, and patients are often denied getting care. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk is due to lengthy waiting times or rejection of referrals.
Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to circumvent the absence of NHS funding in this area. Private clinics offer a much faster and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis. They are also helpful in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression that are prevalent in ADHD and can assist in titrating to the final dose of the medication. Prices vary from PS500 to PS1,200 however, the diagnosis and titration is priced separately.
The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from person to person. The most popular treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial for education and training for parents and families of those with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have found that changing their diet and establishing an effective sleep schedule can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can ease their symptoms, but the evidence on these is less extensive.
It is unacceptable that a lot of people suffering from ADHD aren't able to receive the care and treatment they require on the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK governments and regulatory and clinical bodies. People suffering from ADHD need access to treatment without discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. Long-term planning of funding, and joined up commissioning of social, health care and judicial services are vital to address this need that is not being met. The current situation can't be endured and has a negative impact on individuals, their families and society. It is now the time to invest in this area.