How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurance company to find out. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be able to trust your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP particularly if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP agrees to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. adhd diagnosis uk adults makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only condition is that the 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 times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance.
You should also consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) You can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to the GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also 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 examine your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful if you have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request for a referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This could save you money over time.
You should not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options could be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your school. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.