How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for 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 gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance then you can go through an individual provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for a different one. It is important to be able to trust your physician, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will analyze your results to 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 pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want 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 reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, as the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you're a university student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you know the waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to note that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors 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 could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to assist you.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for making this request on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting check here your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options might be available. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your school. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.