How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of a 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 an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for an alternative. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not have to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose 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 suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like 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 any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the symptoms.
Right to choose
If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right of 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 also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to assist you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with 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 assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to a GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of a structured interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you a diagnosis.
They will tell them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and ask for another referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you're a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.