How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to assess your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance company to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what age diagnose adhd (
find more information) someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
It is essential to build a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for
adhd private diagnosis cost. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for a different one. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor could recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP, especially in the event that you plan to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you, then you'll need
where to get adhd diagnosis wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student at a university, 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, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is called 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 find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist 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 an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults
being diagnosed with adhd in adulthood ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for doing this on their website which includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial when you have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other support may be available. For instance, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your school. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.