How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurer to find out. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is crucial, particularly in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out a different one. It is essential to feel comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for less.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical 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 also help by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, because the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your situation.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for 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 find out the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert 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. It 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.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the website primary provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can provide to the GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment.
They will inform you if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reason and you can ask them to refer you back.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other treatment options might be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your school. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.