How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is long, think about asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talking. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to find out. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.
It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for an alternative. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to do this in any way, it could be worth changing your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, 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 including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children aren't treated of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to choose
If how to get an adult adhd diagnosis reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose the service. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical 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 afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This could save you money over time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is recommended to get a qualified 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 treatment options might be available. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.