How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.

A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

Psychologists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance company to determine the status. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.

It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for a different one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you're entitled to.

Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly.

Ask your doctor

If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is vital because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.

After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.

Right to choose

If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is known as 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 find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.

It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners here and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.

You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.

When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of 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 support.

It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. The main provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for taking this step on their website, which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.

A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you a diagnosis.

They will inform you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will tell you why and ask for another referral.

After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.

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 inaccurate. It is essential to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medication, other support could be available. For example, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your university. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students allowance.