How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their GP first. They can take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on the area you live in, it may be free, or you might have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to remember that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why you or your child might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child suffers from ADHD based on their observations, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We recommend that you find a new GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't take ADHD seriously. This can be difficult however, it's worth asking for a referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
After you've been referred to an assessment the process should be completed quickly. Doctors will want to know the details about 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 if you or your child have had these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centres that can perform ADHD evaluations. You'll need to request for an appointment from your GP. You'll likely have to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your work or school records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to remember that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to examine other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll remain a significant influence on your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult or not. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor the medication will initially be provided by the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England, you are legally entitled to select your doctor and mental health team. If adhd uk diagnosis feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment via the internet with an expert. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. They will not be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD, but they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it has been affecting you and your family. Then, they'll refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there's information on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed up this process.
Once you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if you satisfy the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases it is necessary to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also have to eliminate any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP to obtain a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you will be able receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your GP. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
If you live in England it is 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 it applies to both adults and children. If you are unsure about the best choice for you or think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can make use of alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how to do it.
4. Request an assessment with a specialist
In the UK, there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can schedule an assessment of diagnostics by phone or video with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily routine. They might also request details of your medical history. They will also want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk about the assessment process. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. They will use this information to assess whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if don't know a GP that will send you to a psychiatrist. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to search for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health issues that could impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more problems as you get older and encounter more challenges. This is especially the case if you did not receive the appropriate support when you were a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about how someone with ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior without properly taking note of your symptoms.