How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. Due to medication shortages and delays in obtaining an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
The GP is often the first port of call for those who suspect that they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on the area you live in, it may be free, or you might have to pay a fee. You can find more information 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 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or you might have trouble staying focus or executing 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 your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take into consideration how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your or your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
We suggest you find a new GP in the event that your current doctor does not treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to get referrals however it's well worth it. There are read here from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. GPs will ask for details about your child's symptoms, and 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 look to see if you or your child had these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is important since only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to conduct ADHD evaluations. You'll need to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll probably have to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of the current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They may ask to see your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way that your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to assess other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication whether you are an adult child or not. It is important to note that, if you're diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication through the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you in this process and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England you have the legal right to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your region. This can be a faster and cheaper alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a
Speak to your GP if you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer suggestions on how to accelerate the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required for access to medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine 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 certain cases they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a decision, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP for the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medication and CBT is most efficient. However, everyone is different.
If you reside in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which one to pick or if NHS wait times are too long you can select one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it.
4. Book an assessment with an expert
There are a variety of specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or directly. You can request an assessment of diagnostics via video or phone call with the majority of private providers. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical history. They will also want to know whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your strategies for dealing with stress. They will use this information to assess whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to be diagnosed. If diagnosis for adhd , your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may affect your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is because the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more problems as you get older and face more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis in the event that you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.