How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD Talk to your GP. They should consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to the shortage of medications, you could experience delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
GPs are often a first point of contact for people who think that they or their child might have ADHD. They can be attentive and refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free of charge, or you may be required pay a small amount. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to remember that approximately 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or you may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child has ADHD by observing as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. visit the next website page will also consider how long your or the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they impact your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your own symptoms are better explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out another one. This can be difficult and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
After you've been referred to an assessment the process should be completed quickly. The doctor will request specific details of your child's symptoms, and 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 check whether you or your child have experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers that are able to conduct ADHD assessments. You'll have to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely need to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment if you can.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing 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 a child. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way your brain works. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you're 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 how long you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that if you are diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication on the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with paperwork for a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
If you're in England you are legally entitled to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment via the internet with an expert. This is a quicker and less expensive alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you
If you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD, the first thing to do is speak to your GP. Although they aren't in a position to diagnose you with ADHD formally however, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and you. They should then refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer suggestions on how to speed up the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
After you've been diagnosed and accepted, you will receive an appointment with a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
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 certain cases, they might require a diagnosis like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They may also need to rule any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they find that you have ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to sign an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can get ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medications and CBT is most efficient. However, every person is different.
If you live in England it is important to know that you have a legal right to choose the provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which one to go with or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it.
4. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or directly. The majority of private providers will allow you to book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to provide details regarding your symptoms and how they affect you and your daily routine. They might also ask for details of your medical history. They will also want to know whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your symptoms have impacted your life and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not have a doctor who will send you to a psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive however it will provide you the fastest way to get a diagnosis. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment if required.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to find more evidence to support it by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate like addiction or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood, not children. This is because the majority of symptoms manifest in adults and cause more problems as you age and face more difficulties. This is especially true if you didn't get the right support as a young person.
Sometimes it is 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 a person suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.