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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you are 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 option of choosing their provider.

A psychiatrist will conduct an 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 may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist’s visit will be covered. If you’re not sure if a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also ask 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 to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren’t trained in adult ADHD and don’t have much practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.

It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly crucial when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn’t have to settle for less than what you deserve.

Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You can select which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might influence your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you’ve been performing in different areas of your life.

Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will provide you with treatment options. adhd diagnosis uk adults could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

There are many professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don’t require treatment because you’re not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the condition.

Right to Pick

If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is referred to as the ‘Right to Choice’. The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP.

It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you’re not able 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 taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to support you.

It is also advisable to consult your GP to look into the options for medication for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

You can request an individual assessment when you don’t wish 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 who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to a GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often beneficial when you have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.

They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask for a referral.

After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.

Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you are a student at a university for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.