How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance company to find out. You could also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with your current one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which location to get your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. adhd diagnosis in adults of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request in any way, it could be worth switching your GP in particular if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the provider. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to assistance.
You should also consult your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with 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 appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful if you have family members or a friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will tell you why and you may request another referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.