How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. Medical professionals don't have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is especially important if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life 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 choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, 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 concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. 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 a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by 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 prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). adhd diagnosis uk adults can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially among women or people of color, as well as those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to the GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful to have family members or a acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your university. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.