Five How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Lessons From Professionals
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting a long time, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You can also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through an individual service. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out another one. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for less.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult adhd Diagnosis [rentry.co].
In England You can select where to get your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth switching your GP particularly if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, as the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children will develop adhd diagnosis adults. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for Adult ADHD Diagnosis the service you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis.
You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and have a family member present for 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 drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can 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 if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to a GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person.
A private assessment will usually be a little longer than an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of your diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end.
It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other options that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your university. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.