How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They must consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. You may experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child may be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Based on the location of your home the assessment could be free or you may have to pay a small fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to remember that approximately 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why you or your child might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child has 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 consider how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms could be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We suggest that you look for a new GP If your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment however it's well worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms. Then, 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 determine whether you or your child has experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD evaluations. You will need to ask for a referral from your GP. You'll likely need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may ask to see your work or school documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall functioning and may want to examine other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
Whether you are an adult or child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that in the event that you are diagnosed privately then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you in this and will provide your GP documentation to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health team and healthcare provider. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment online with an expert. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. They will not be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting your family and you. Then, they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to accelerate the process if they have a lengthy waiting list.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will assess 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 certain cases, they might need to rule out conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They might also need to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide that you have ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with a form to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that you will be able access ADHD medication through the NHS from your GP. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how to do it.
4. Book an appointment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. adult adhd diagnoses can request your GP for the referral or directly yourself. You can request an appointment for a diagnostic examination via video or phone call with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they impact you and your daily life. They may also ask for details about your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can 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. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will recommend you to one. 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 good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to look for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health issues that could impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and can cause more problems as you age and confront more challenges. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis if you're a member of an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.