How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you are waiting for a long time, ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.

A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will require evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested.

Find a Psychiatrist

They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.

If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than what you deserve.

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your doctor

If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.

Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request in any way, it could be worth changing your GP in particular in the event that you plan 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 be prepared for this, because the medical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.

After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your condition.

Right to pick

If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose the provider. This is referred to 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 also recommended to find out about waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.

It is important to note that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to get 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. This includes quotes from the 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 they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.

You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview ahead of time and have a family member present for assistance.

It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment 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 concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website, which includes templates for forms you can hand 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 a little longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful if you have a family member or friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.

They will inform you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons, and you can request another referral.

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

It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can more info be misleading. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. If you are a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.