How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Medical professionals don't have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be able to trust your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This usually involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select where to receive 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 suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the clinical interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason it might be worth changing your GP in particular when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes 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 medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation.
Right to pick
If you reside in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to note that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot 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 evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to support you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. diagnosing adult adhd have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can provide to the GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have a family member or friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you back.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you're a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.