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 refer you to the law that gives patients the right to choose their providers called Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They will require evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.

Find a psychiatrist

Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.

When you have found 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 searching for another one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than what you deserve.

Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and Adult ADHD Diagnosis a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for adult adhd diagnosis an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your GP

If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted 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 influencing your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to do this in any way, it could be worth switching your GP particularly when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.

After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for continued care. 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 do not know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.

Right to choose

If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. 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 to learn about the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.

It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable 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. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you may make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.

If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to assist you.

You should also ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also review your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.

They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request for a referral.

After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This could save you money over time.

It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student, for example you could request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.