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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They will request evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychologists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You may also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to get a diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.
It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for diagnosis anything less.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist in adhd diagnosis uk adults for a medical evaluation. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP in particular if you want to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, as the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.
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, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the 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 learn about the waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.
It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for making this request on their website that includes templates for forms 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 appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of a structured interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often helpful if you have a family member or friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with your diagnosis.
They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This could save you money over time.
It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. If you're a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.