How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you 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 ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private provider. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Choose
If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement that a provider to be able to 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 you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you may make use of your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for assistance.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish 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 and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women as well as people of color and women born to females). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to making this request on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have a 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 typical psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of your diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask for a referral.
After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement get more info on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.
You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you're a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.