How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for a long time, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview and focus 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
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You could also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for an alternative. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve.
Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers 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 is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for continued care. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send 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.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and here bring an immediate family member to provide support.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private evaluation will typically 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 current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask them to refer you back.
Once you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is essential to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if 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 university. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.