How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting an extended period and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you can choose an individual provider. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template 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 relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to refer you, you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, since the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor 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 GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment because 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 can listen and understand your situation.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only condition is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you know the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to 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 an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. adhd diagnosis uk adults might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with 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 appears to be (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for making this request on their website that includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask for a referral.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This could save you money over time.
It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your university. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.