How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in obtaining an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first port of call when people suspect they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They can be attentive and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the area you live in the assessment could be free or you may have to pay a fee. More details are available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child may have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child is suffering from ADHD by observing of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take into consideration how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your or your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out another one. It isn't easy to get referrals however it's well worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.
If you've been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The doctor will request 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. adult adhd diagnoses will also check whether you or your child has had these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This is important because 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 centers which can perform ADHD tests. You will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably have to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They may request your school or work records or talk 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 functions. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to look into other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will continue to have a significant impact on your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to know that if you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially come from the NHS. The private clinician can assist you in this process and provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health provider and healthcare provider. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. adult diagnosis adhd is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP for a referral
Speak with your GP if you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They will not be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD, but they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's affected your family and you. Then, they'll refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have suggestions on how to accelerate the process if you are on a long waiting lists.
Once you have been referred, you will be given an appointment to see an Psychologist for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment the psychiatrist will take a examine your symptoms and determine whether they are in line with 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 may need to rule out other conditions before making their choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any alcohol or drug abuse.
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 GP will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medication and CBT is most effective. But, everyone is different.
If you live in England and are a resident of England, it's important to know that you are legally entitled to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
In the UK there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for the referral, or contact them directly. You can schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with the majority of private providers. They will ask you to provide details about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as information about any relevant medical background. They will also want to know if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you have the symptoms of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not have a doctor who will recommend you to one. It's more expensive, but you will get the diagnosis quicker. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if needed.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also take into account other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood and not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more difficulties. This is especially true if you didn't get the right support as a young person.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis in the event that you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.