5 How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Lessons From The Professionals
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to assess your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will request evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use an independent 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 looks like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for an alternative. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select where to get 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 suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk 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 treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. 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 have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the "Right to Choice". diagnosis for adhd for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for 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. 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.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can provide to a GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request for a referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance could be available. If you're an undergraduate student, for example you could request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable, and Disabled Student's Allowance.