How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize 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 should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select the location where you will 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 convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for a 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 know the waiting times for the service 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 know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable 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 the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
You should also consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for making this request on their website that includes a template form that you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with your psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other treatment options may be get more info available. If you are an undergraduate student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.