How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to be able to trust your doctor but you shouldn't settle for anything less.
Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason it might be worth changing your GP, especially 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, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've been performing in various aspects of your life.
Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation.
Right to Pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). iampsychiatry is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are only 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 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 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 cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to help you.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for making this request on their website which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. They also have a 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 psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often helpful if you have family members or a friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of your diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and you may ask for a second referral.
After receiving an assessment, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This can save you money over time.
Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other options to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your school. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.