How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will require documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to utilize your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial because it will concentrate on your check here ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.
After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you're a student at a university Your doctor may 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 including GPs, nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 recommended to also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, 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 that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to assistance.
It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to look into different options for your medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women, people of color and those born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for making this request on their website, which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful when you have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with an assessment.
They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons, and you can ask for a second referral.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time.
Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you are a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.