How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time you can request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will assess you using a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will ask for evidence, including childhood histories - school reports are sometimes requested.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance company to determine the status. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You can select where to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.
Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, since the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition.
Right to choose
If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide support.
Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially among women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with an assessment.
They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end.
my response is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance might be available. If you're a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.