A Guide To How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK From Start To Finish
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for an extended period you can consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance you can choose an individual provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll need to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to utilize your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help give more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is essential 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 to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing care. If you're an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend 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 don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot 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 can make use of your Right to Choice and select a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to support.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website that includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment.
They will let you know if they 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 let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.
Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options could be available. For instance, if are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.