How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for an extended period you can consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may opt for an individual service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for another one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you deserve.
Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to do this for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, because the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will more info give you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults aren't treated, and that children aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to assistance.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with an assessment.
They will inform them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you are a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.