What Experts In The Field Want You To Know
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients the right to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through an individual service. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide 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 is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to pick
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement 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 also find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give 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 a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to assistance.
You should also seek advice from your GP to look into medication options for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis have an extensive list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of a structured interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why and you may request another referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.
You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your university. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.