How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They might request your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained 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.
It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've discovered one. This is particularly crucial when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your physician but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to do this for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP, especially in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you, you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a university student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children aren't treated of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you are entitled to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement that 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 recommended that you find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able 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 cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned as female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website, which includes a template form that you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. 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 different situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time.
I Am Psychiatry should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the most effective results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your school. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.