How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You may experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They will be attentive and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on your location, this might be free of charge or you may be required to pay a small fee. More details can be found on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially if your symptoms don't seem to be taken seriously. It's important to know that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand why you or your child may have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also look at how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
We suggest you find an alternative GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to get referrals however it's well worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you've been sent to a specialist. The doctor will request specific details of your child's symptoms. the specialist should carry out an interview, questionnaire, and medical examination. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They will also check if your or your child has had these symptoms before and compare information. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers which can perform ADHD evaluations. You'll have to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely have to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment if you can.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may ask for your school or job records, or speak with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to examine other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
You will be offered medication, regardless of whether you're an adult or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. The private doctor will be able to assist you with this and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a
If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD, the first thing to do is talk to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD formally, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. They should then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have suggestions on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
After you've been referred and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if they are in line with the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also have to eliminate any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to sign an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can access ADHD medication through the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix of medication and CBT is most effective. However, every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you're unsure of which provider to pick or if NHS wait times are too long you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services or directly yourself. Most private healthcare providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they impact your life and daily activities. They may also request information about your medical background. They will also want to know whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if don't know a GP that will refer you to one. This is slightly more expensive however, it will give you the fastest method to be diagnosed. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if required.
A good psychiatrist can determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If diagnosing adhd in adults are unsure, they can confirm this by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also consider other health issues that could affect your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as adults and not as children. This is because most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more issues as you get older and confront more difficulties. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be difficult to receive a diagnosis when you're a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about how an individual suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly taking note of your symptoms.