How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time you can request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your 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 may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to find out. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can make it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. It is crucial to be comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for less.
Your doctor may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, since the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you have been functioning in various areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and 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, it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to choose
If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called 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 also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a diagnosis of adhd in adulthood specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for support.
It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can give to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP, 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.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance could be available. For example, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your university. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.