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 an extended period, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will assess you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will ask for evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurer to find out. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through an individual service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will have to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in addition to the interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. 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 recommended that you also find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP 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 evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider different options for your medication. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Iam Psychiatry can refer yourself to 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 a problem that is growing particularly among women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for taking this step on their website, which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often helpful when you have someone in your family or a close friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you back.
After receiving an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You will need 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 could save you money in the long run.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. For example, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.