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 rights to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out a different one. It is essential to feel comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for less.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding 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 select which location to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
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 a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in addition to the interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to do this in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in various areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the issue.
Right to Choose
If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen 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 for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like 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 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 NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a family member to assist you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. click here In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website that includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful when you have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons and request a second referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. You should get a professional and objective assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. For instance, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.