How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If adult adhd diagnosis uk are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert 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 an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It 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 their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to fill out 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 center on your history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide support.
It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for making this request on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful to have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe 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 let you know the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students the'Allowance.