How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD Talk to your GP. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. There may be delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD usually consult their doctor first. They will be attentive and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free of charge, or you may have to pay a small fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to know that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand why your or your child may have difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider how long your or your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how much they affect your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your symptoms are better explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out a different one. It can be difficult to get an appointment but it's worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
Once you have been referred to an assessment the process should be completed quickly. The doctor will ask you or your child for specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will 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 if your or your child has had these symptoms previously to be able to compare information. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialist centers that are able to conduct ADHD tests. You will need to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You will likely need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it is recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about your experiences as a child. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't only a problem with behavior - it is also related to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will assess your general functioning and may also want to examine other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication, regardless of whether you're an adult or not. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to assist you with this, and usually provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health care team and healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with a specialist in your area. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
If you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD formally however, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. Then, they'll refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to speed up the process if they have a lengthy waiting list.
Once you have been referred, you will be given an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required for access to medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will assess 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 certain cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you'll be able to receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix between medications and CBT is most efficient. However, every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you aren't sure the best choice for you, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could use one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private healthcare providers allow you to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. They will ask you to provide details about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as details of any relevant medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. get diagnosed with adhd may be a little more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. If needed, your psychiatrist may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to determine pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to people 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. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more issues as you age and encounter more difficulties. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be difficult to receive a diagnosis when you're a minority or an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.