How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you are waiting a long time, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, 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 online. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get a diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.
If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out an alternative. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England, you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD.
Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to do this for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the medical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who can listen and understand your situation.
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Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also find out the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose another provider.
You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance.
Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can refer yourself to an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women as well as people of color and women born to females). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment have an inventory of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with your diagnosis.
They will inform you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you again.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other options that can help with your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.
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