How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you are waiting a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll need to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
It is essential to build a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out another one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you deserve.
Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling them 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 issues, including adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you may make use of your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experiences 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 a family member present for support.
Ask I Am Psychiatry about the options for medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website which includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you back.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. For example, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your university. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.