How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting an extended period you can request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
adhd diagnosis uk adults have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to be comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact 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 can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This is to help provide a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth switching your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care 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 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 aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP.
adhd uk diagnosis is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women, people of color and women born to females). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes template forms that you can give to your GP. On adhd diagnosis uk adults , they provide a list of the providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful if you have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment.
They will tell you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why, and you can request an additional referral.
After receiving an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the most effective results. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.