How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you have 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 could also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private provider. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important 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 medical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer 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 for any reason it might be worth switching 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, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, since the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. 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 visit website in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to Choose
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by 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 provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to remember that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
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 concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to support you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women or people of color, as well as those born female). The main provider of the assessments 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 a list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often beneficial if you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this can 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 erroneous. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. If you're a student at a university for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.