How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to determine your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You could also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll need to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to be able to trust your physician however, you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted along with the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've been performing in various aspects of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're a student at a university, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional that can listen and understand your condition.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). how to get an adult adhd diagnosis is recommended to also find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. adhd diagnosis uk adults will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to support.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly for women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful if you have a family member or acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons, and you can request a second referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. For example, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your school. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students the'Allowance.