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, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be able to trust your doctor, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list 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 provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP, especially in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional that can listen and understand your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter get more info that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are usually 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 look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide support.
It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for making this request on their website that includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you are a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.