How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD Talk to your GP. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. Due to medication shortages and delays in obtaining diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
GPs are often a first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to remember that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child may have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD by observing of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take a look at 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 symptoms are better explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking a different one. It can be difficult to get referrals however it's well worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you've been referred. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms, and the specialist will conduct 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 if you or your child has experienced these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD is only confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD evaluations. You'll need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll likely need to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment if possible.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may ask for your work or school records, or talk with your teachers, parents or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than just a behavior problem. It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will look at the whole picture of how you are functioning and may also want to check for other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But now we have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will remain a significant influence on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that when you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care agreement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you think that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with a specialist in your area. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Have your GP to refer you
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD. They may not be able identify you as having ADHD, but they should be attentive to your concerns and ask how it has been affecting your family and you. They will then refer you to an expert for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medication through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this visit the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and assess whether they meet the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some instances, they might have to rule out other conditions like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. look at these guys might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they find that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix between medications and CBT is most effective. However, every person is different.
It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which one to choose or if NHS wait times seem too long you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. The majority of private providers will let you book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide about the assessment process. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. diagnosis for adhd will be asked about your childhood and your strategies for coping. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have the symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will receive the diagnosis quicker. If needed, your psychiatrist may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they are unsure, they can confirm this by asking questions or talking to someone who knows you well. They will also consider other health conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate like addiction or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more problems as you grow older and confront more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a child.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing your symptoms.