How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested.

Find a psychiatrist

They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance then you can go through an individual provider. Be sure to 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 appears like. This can be a problem when trying to establish a diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for less.

Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You can select where to receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to provide 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 has a thorough understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how to get diagnosed with adhd in adulthood you've performed in various areas of your life.

After you've been officially being diagnosed with adhd as an adult your specialist will advise on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a university student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the condition.

Right to pick

If you reside in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. 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 find out the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.

It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.

You should also seek advice from your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for making this request on their website which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person.

A private assessment will usually be a little longer than an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.

They will tell you if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria they will explain why and you may ask for a second referral.

After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.

You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student, for example you may request an assessment. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.