How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They will require documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to get an assessment. Many medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect 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 option of choosing which provider you will 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 offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the clinical interview. This will help give more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth switching your GP, especially in the event that you plan to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, because the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for continued care. If you're a university student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by 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. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask diagnosis for adhd in adults about options for medications. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for making this request on their website, which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will inform you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons, and you can ask for an additional referral.
Once you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.