How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If adhddiagnosis don't have insurance, you can choose a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. Medical professionals don't have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to be able to trust your doctor, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various 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 right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out the template and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you, you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can take persistence to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms.
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 are entitled to choose the service. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from 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 for women or people of color, as well as those born female). The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website which includes a template form that you can provide to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will give reasons and ask for an additional referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.