How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They will be attentive and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. Due to the shortage of medications there could be delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk with your doctor
GPs are often a first port of call for those who suspect that they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They can be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you could be required to pay. Find more details on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child may have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We suggest that you look for an alternative GP If your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to get an appointment, but it is worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you've been sent to a specialist. The doctor will request specific details of your child's symptoms. 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 had these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD evaluations. You will have to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adults. adults diagnosed with adhd may ask to see your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as a child. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also want to assess you for other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication whether you are an adult or not. It is important to note that in the event that you are diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication on the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
If you're located in England you have a legal right to choose your doctor and mental health team. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment on the internet with an expert in your area. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
Speak to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner however, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and you. They will then refer you to a specialist to be assessed and treated. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer tips on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine 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 certain cases, they might need to rule out conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They might also have to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or directly. The majority of private providers will let you book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as specific details about any medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for dealing with stress. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you have symptoms of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not have a doctor who will refer you to one. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to get a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they will refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They may also look into other health conditions which can hinder your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is because the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more issues as you get older and face more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the right 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 is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.