How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time you can consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to feel comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for less.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the clinical interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they are unable to do this in any way, it could be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life right now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to Choose
If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
It is important to remember that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give more info feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you back.
After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long run.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can ease your symptoms. If you're a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.