How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through an individual service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out an alternative. It is important to be able to trust your physician, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the interview. This will help give more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth switching your GP, especially when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you, you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, since the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made the doctor will give you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children will develop ADHD. It's not easy to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to choose
If you live 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 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 service of your choice before you contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may have 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 send to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request a private assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women as well as people of color and women born to females). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website that includes a template form that you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. adhd uk diagnosis will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often beneficial when you have a family member or friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will explain why and ask for an additional referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can save you money over time.
It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. If you are a university student for instance you could request an assessment. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.