How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They must be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk with adhd diagnosis for adults is often the first port of call for people who think that they or their child might have ADHD. They will be attentive and recommend you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on your location the assessment could be free of charge or you may have pay a small amount. More details are available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you or your child's difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also consider how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your child's or your symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get a different one. It can be difficult to ask for an appointment, but it is worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
Once you have been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The doctor will request you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, a questionnaire and a medical exam. 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 check whether you or your child experienced these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD evaluations. You will have to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely need to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to 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 in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about the way you behaved as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way your brain works. click hyperlink will look at the whole picture of how you're functioning and may also want to assess you for other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that, when you're diagnosed privately then you'll initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private clinician will be able to assist you in this and will provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
In England, you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist in your area. This can be a faster and more cost-effective alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They may not be able formally diagnose you with ADHD but they should be attentive to your concerns and ask how it has affected you and your family. They should then refer you to an expert for evaluation and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed this up.
Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medication through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine whether they are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.
If they determine that you have ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with paperwork to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that you'll be able to get ADHD medication on the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medication and CBT is the most effective. But, everyone is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your GP will refer 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 not sure which one to go with or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could choose one of the alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide to help you do this.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
In the UK there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can schedule a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private providers. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and information about any relevant medical history. They will be looking to find out if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have the signs of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who is willing to refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis more quickly. If necessary, your psychiatrist will refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to search for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other medical conditions that may affect your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. It is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more issues as you age and face more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a young person.
Sometimes it can be difficult to receive an diagnosis, especially if you are from an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.