How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. diagnosing adhd must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Speak with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will be very attentive to your concerns and send you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you could be required to pay. More details can be found on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially if you don't feel like your symptoms are being taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself may have difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they affect your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms could be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
We recommend that you try to find an alternative GP If your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for a referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed in a short time after you have been recommended. Doctors will want to know the details about your child's symptoms. the specialist will conduct 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 whether you or your child experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers which can carry out ADHD assessments. You will have to request your GP to recommend one of these. You'll probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take a long time to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment if possible.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your school or job records, or speak with your teachers, parents or daycare providers about your childhood. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue it's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will assess your general functioning and may also want to assess other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But now we are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and still have an impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to assist you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for a shared care agreement which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health care team and the healthcare provider. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with a specialist. This is usually a faster option than visiting your GP and is a more cost-effective option too.
3. Request your GP for an appointment
If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. They may not be able officially diagnose you with ADHD but they should be attentive to your concerns and ask how it has affected your family and you. They will then refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have a lengthy waiting list.
After you've been referred, you will be given an appointment to see an Psychologist for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the ADHD criteria. 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 need to exclude any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they decide that you have ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you will be able receive ADHD medication on the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most efficient, but every person is different.
If you live in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose the healthcare provider that your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure which provider to pick or if NHS wait times are too long, you can choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for a referral to these, or contact them directly. You can request a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, how they affect your life and daily activities. They might also want to know details about your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for coping. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one yourself by booking an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive however, it will give you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to search for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health issues that could hinder your ability to concentrate for a long time, such as depression or an addiction disorder.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and they may cause more issues as you get older and encounter more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis when you're a minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing your symptoms.