How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance company to determine the status. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you can choose a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to work hard 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 important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire, as well as 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 whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to utilize your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted along with the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a university student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement 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 can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, adhd uk diagnosis might have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable 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. It 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 assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.
You should also ask your GP to look into medication options for you. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to making this request on their website, which includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial to have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons, and you can request another referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options may be available. If you're a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students the'Allowance.