This Is A Guide To How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK In 2023
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UKYou can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you have health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance company to determine the status. You could also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for anything less.
Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select where to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life.
After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for ongoing treatment. 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 who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose which provider. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, 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 is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present read more for assistance.
You should also ask your GP to look into medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned as female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.
They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request for a referral.
After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.