How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist’s visit should be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You could also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don’t have insurance, you may choose to go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Medical professionals don’t have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You’ll have to do some research to find an Adult Adhd diagnosis uk ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you’re not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for an alternative. It is crucial to be comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for anything less.

Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.

Ask your doctor

If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD.

Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason it might be worth changing your GP particularly if you want to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you’ve been performing in various areas of your life.

After a diagnosis is made the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.

There are many professionals in the UK who don’t know much about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don’t need treatment because you don’t have hyperactivity. Also, adults don’t get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the symptoms.

Right to choose

If you reside in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.

You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for Adult adhd diagnosis uk an ADHD assessment. If you’re unable 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 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.

It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you may use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to assistance.

It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you’re not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.

A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include a structured interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue an assessment.

They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don’t believe you’re in the right category, they will explain why, and you can ask for an additional referral.

After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You’ll have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run.

It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance may be available. If you’re a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student’s Allowance.