How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you think that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. Due to medication shortages there could be delays in obtaining an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD are likely to consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Based on the location of your home it could be free of charge, or you might have to pay a fee. More details are available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why you or your child might have trouble staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take a look at how long your child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they impact your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's issues could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking an alternative one. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for a referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed swiftly after you've been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. Then, 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 determine if you or your child has experienced similar symptoms before, so they can compare information. This is important since only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialist centres which can perform ADHD tests. You'll have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. click hyperlink 'll probably have to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them prior to your appointment if possible.
Your physician will assess your symptoms in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may ask to see your work or school documents or talk to your parents, teachers, 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 your brain functions. Your specialist will look at your general functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, adhd diagnosis uk adults are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that when you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement on shared care, which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP, and can be cheaper too.
3. Request your GP for a referral
If you think you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. Although they aren't in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. They should then refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed things up.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see an Psychologist to be assessed and diagnosed. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if 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 some cases they may require a diagnosis such as anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also have to eliminate any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT is the most effective. However, every person is different.
If you reside in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose the healthcare provider that your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to go with or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can use one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which has a very helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Make an appointment with a specialist
In the UK, there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private healthcare providers allow you to schedule an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. They will require you to provide information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis faster. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to search for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health issues that could impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as depression or an addiction disorder.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. It is because the majority of symptoms manifest in adults and cause more problems as you get older and face more difficulties. This is particularly relevant if you didn't receive the appropriate assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed when you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.