How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD Talk to your GP. They must be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to medication shortages there could be delays in obtaining an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
GPs are often a first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child may have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may have pay a small amount. More details can be found on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD particularly if your symptoms don't seem to be considered serious. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why your child or you might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD Based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your or your child's symptoms could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out another one. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment however it's well worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you've been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. Then, the specialist should carry out 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 verify if you or your child has experienced these symptoms before and compare the information. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD is only confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Book an appointment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that can perform ADHD evaluations. You'll need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may ask to see your school or work records or talk with your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you are functioning, and may want to look into other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist what time you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and continue to have a significant impact on your life.
You will be offered medication whether you are an adult child or not. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially be provided by the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your region. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP and is an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
Speak to your GP if you suspect that you or your child could have ADHD. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and yourself. Then, they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer tips on how to accelerate the process if they have a lengthy waiting list.
After you've been diagnosed, you will be given an appointment with an Psychologist for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment, the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases it is necessary to rule out other conditions before making their decision, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol use out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD, they will write to your GP with a form to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medications and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure which provider to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can schedule an assessment of diagnostics via video or phone call with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily life. They may also want to know information about your medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
adhd diagnosis uk adult will talk you through the assessment process. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a doctor who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis quicker. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They will also consider other health issues that could affect your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and can cause more problems as you get older and confront more problems. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the appropriate assistance as in your early years.
Sometimes it's difficult to receive an diagnosis, especially if you are from an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.