How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting an extended period, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You could also ask 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 that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to be able to trust your physician but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms 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 have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital 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've performed in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to Choose
If you reside in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
Ask www.iampsychiatry.com what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider.
You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide support.
You should also ask your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will tell you why, and you can request another referral.
After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you're a student at a university for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.