How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may have ADHD. They must consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. Due to medication shortages there could be delays in obtaining a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD are likely to consult their GP first. They can be very attentive to your concerns and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on your location the assessment could be free or you may be required to pay a small fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to remember that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why your child or yourself may have difficulty staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long your child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your or your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get an alternative one. This can be difficult and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you talk to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an assessment, the process should move quickly. The doctor will inquire with you or your child for details about your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, questionnaire, and a medical exam. 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 look to see if you or your child suffered from these issues previously so that they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD evaluations. You will need to ask for a referral from your GP. adhd diagnosis adult will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They might ask for your work or school documents or talk to your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. ADHD is more than a behavior problem. It is also linked to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to look into other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. 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 child or not. It's worth noting that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, you will initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement for shared care to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health provider and healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with a specialist. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to going through your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you
Talk with your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child might have ADHD. Although they won't be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to speed up the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been identified to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and assess whether they meet the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some instances, they might require a diagnosis such as anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also have to rule out any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to obtain the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to receive ADHD medication on the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination between medications and CBT is most efficient. However, every person is different.
It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you are unsure about the best choice for you or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can use one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can book an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with most private companies. You will be asked to provide information regarding your symptoms and how they affect you and your daily life. They might also want to know information about your medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and strategies for dealing with stress. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a doctor who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to receive a diagnosis. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who knows you well. They'll also take into consideration other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and they can cause more issues as you grow older and confront more problems. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a young person.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed in the event that you're a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.