How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They might request your childhood records and school reports.

Find a psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for another one. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you deserve.

Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.

Ask your doctor

If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they don't want to do this in any way, it could be worth changing your GP, especially if you want to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life.

After a diagnosis is made your doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't grow out of ADHD. It can take persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the condition.

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, you have a right to choose the service. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting times of the provider prior website to contacting them. You can find out more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.

It is important to note that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, 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 doctor 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 are too long, you can exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor.

When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you.

Ask your GP about medication options. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with 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 becoming more prevalent particularly for women as well as people of color and those born female). The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to making this request on their website that includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person.

A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful when you have family members or a friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.

They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you back.

After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run.

You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other support may be available. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable, and Disabled Student's Allowance.