5 Laws Anyone Working In ADHD Diagnosis Should Know
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking assistance, referral or assessment for ADHD Patients often have to deal with the network gatekeepers. It is clear that a number of these gatekeepers, particularly in NHS CCGs, are disregarding the national guidelines for clinical practice and their legal duty to prevent health inequality and discrimination.
Certain private ADHD clinics may not be properly regulated as per reports from anecdotal sources. This may result in uncoordinated diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer back to the NHS.
How do I get an medical diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind, which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with specialist expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental health issues often report symptoms of ADHD especially those who have struggled for a long period. This means that they feel stuck in their current situation and are in desperate need of help to improve their life. However it is true that the NHS can be difficult to navigate for those who are seeking a diagnosis.
It is possible to get a diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for an appointment with a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and may refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you might need to wait until the specialist is available.
In order to assess your ADHD healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have had in the past as well as your family history. They will also observe you in various environments, such as your the workplace, school or at home to evaluate your behavior. They will ask you to write about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They might also inquire about your relationships, social life and any other activities you do on a regular basis.
A doctor will take into consideration all the evidence prior to making a diagnosis. They will make use of criteria, for example, being perpetually distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span or difficulty focusing at work or at school and having difficulty staying focused on work that are not completed, and being overly active. The diagnosis is based on a pattern of traits that can be seen in a variety of settings and affect your functioning.
In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in people seeking an assessment. This can result in long wait for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families avoid the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This could be costly. It is crucial to find a healthcare provider you can trust and answer questions honestly about your symptoms.
What happens during the test?
Whether you're self-referring or getting recommended by your GP the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is essentially the same. The person who is conducting the assessment will ask questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. For example, "What problems do experience at home?" "How does your symptoms impact your work?" "Do you have other symptoms that you believe could be related to ADHD?"
Depending on where you go for your evaluation There may be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete prior to your appointment. It is important to complete these in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment won't be delayed. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD to ensure that you recognise them and discuss the ways they affect your life in detail.
The assessment will usually include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess your overall mental health and the symptoms of ADHD to determine if they are being caused by any other condition or unrelated to any other medical condition (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss possible treatment options with you which may involve medication.
It's worth remembering that GPs, nurses and psychologists will not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists with specialization, so it is important to practice and prepare your symptoms prior to going for an assessment. This will allow you to explain your symptoms in a way they can comprehend. You'll have to provide examples of how your symptoms affect your life in all aspects from your work to your relationships, and then over time.
There may be tests done as part of your assessment, such as a blood test to check for any allergies. If you have any other medical conditions your therapist could suggest additional tests to look for these, too.
If you self-refer or going through the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to understand that, even if you pay for your private assessment but you will still need to wait for NHS funded appointments - and this may differ between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another.
What happens if I don't get a diagnosis?
There are many factors that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for some groups of people to get diagnosed, for instance when you are of color or assigned a female at birth or if you have other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or depression.
If you're having difficulty getting an answer, consult your GP and ask for a referral. You could also find a private psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide more rapid service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms to determine if they match the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They'll also try to rule out other causes of your problems like depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. This can be a very thorough procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to provide all the evidence required (for example they might struggle to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard).
It is possible that you are not diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP is in agreement. This is because a psychiatrist can only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they believe that you are not meeting the requirements, they will inform you why.
In the UK it is legal in the UK to get treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the event that you have been diagnosed with ADHD. You could be able get medication through an Individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. You may be referred to your physician to prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first and don't make plans for long titration periods.
It is helpful to join a support group for adults with ADHD in person and online. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring, and it can help to talk through your experience with people who understand.
How can I get treatment?
GPs may recommend adults to specialists ADHD services to be assessed and prescribed medication. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a nationwide ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS healthcare providers don't accept these reports, and patients are often blocked from accessing care. This is due to long waiting times or rejection of referrals.
Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to avoid the lack of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics can provide a speedier and more professional and a generally clear diagnosis. They can also help screen for comorbidities such as anxiety and depression, which are common in ADHD. They assist with titration of the final dosage. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced.
The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is different between individuals. The majority of people are treated with medication. It could be methylphenidates such as Ritalin or Concerta or atomoxetine like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug interventions are beneficial, like training and education for parents and the families of those with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing an appropriate schedule for sleep can help. Some people find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, although the evidence on these is less extensive.
It is unacceptable that many people suffering from ADHD are not able to access the care and treatment they need on the NHS. This situation needs to be addressed urgently by UK governments and regulatory and clinical bodies. People with ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and consistent with their legal rights. To meet this demand it is essential to create long-term plans for funding and commission health, social, and judicial services together. The current situation cannot be endured and has a negative impact on the families of individuals and the society. It's time to invest.