How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers - known as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will examine you using a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.

Find a psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You could also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. Many medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for another one. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.

Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount.

Ask your doctor

If you have an 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 will require a clinical 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 can be administered in addition to the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request in any way, it could be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've been performing in various aspects of your life.

After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as 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 at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.

Right to pick

If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you know the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.

It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.

If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be centered on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.

It is also advisable to consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

You can request a private assessment in case 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 a problem that is growing particularly among women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can give to a GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.

A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.

They will tell you if they believe you have read more the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request for a referral.

After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This could save you money over the course of time.

Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options might be available. For instance, if are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.