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 very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They will request evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance company to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through an individual provider. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to get an assessment. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be able to trust your physician, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason it might be worth changing your GP particularly when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. 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 aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to Pick
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 which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. check this site out can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again.
After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.
You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the most effective results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other options that can help with your symptoms. If you are a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.