How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you think that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk to your doctor
Doctors are often the first port of call for people who think that they or their child may have ADHD. They can be attentive and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the area you live in, it may be free or you could have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child's difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD by observing or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and any other people who know you. They will also look at how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We recommend that you look for an alternative GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't take ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to request a referral, but it is worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you've been referred. The doctor will inquire with you or your child to provide details about your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, a 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 check whether you or your child have experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialization centers that are able to perform ADHD evaluations. You'll have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You will probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment if you can.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your school or job records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning and may also wish to look into other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist what time you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
You will be given medication, regardless of whether you're an adult or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk will be able to assist you in this process and provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This is usually a faster option than visiting your GP, and can be a more cost-effective option too.
3. Ask how to get diagnosed with adhd uk to refer you to a
Speak to 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 formally however, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have long waiting lists.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if 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 cases they may require a diagnosis such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They may also need to rule any drug or alcohol use out.
If they find that you have ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to sign the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination between medication and CBT is most effective. But, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will recommend 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 which provider to choose or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could make use of alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
There are numerous specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. The majority of private providers allow you to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. They will require you to provide information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with details of any relevant medical history. They will also ask if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will send you to an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis faster. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to find additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that can affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction disorders or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more problems as you age and face more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper assistance as a child.
Sometimes it is difficult to receive a diagnosis, particularly when you belong to an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without properly taking note of your symptoms.