How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will require evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt for an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. It is important to be able to trust your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select which location to get your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will give you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. iampsychiatry.com might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the symptoms.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you.
You should also seek advice from your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women, people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of settings and situations. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why and you may request an additional referral.
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 to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other support could be available. If you're an undergraduate student, for example you could request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.