How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you believe that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns very seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you might have to pay a small fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and a diagnosis can help you to understand why your or your child's difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and any other people who know you. They will also consider how long your child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your symptoms are better explained by a different illness (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
We suggest you try to find an alternative GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. This can be difficult and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
If you've been referred for an assessment the process should be completed quickly. The GP will inquire with you or your child for specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, a questionnaire and a medical exam. 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 want to determine if you or your child has experienced these symptoms before, so they can compare the information. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD assessments. You will have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to complete so try and complete them prior to your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of the current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They may ask to see your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not just a behavior issue it's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to look into other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and remain a significant influence on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially be obtained from the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to select your mental health team and the healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment with a specialist in your region. This is often a quicker route than going through your GP and is cheaper too.
3. Request your GP for an appointment
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. They may not be able officially diagnose you with ADHD, but they should be attentive to your concerns and inquire about how it has been affecting you and your family. They should then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to speed up the process if you are on a a lengthy waiting list.
Once you have been referred and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see an Psychologist for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether 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 certain cases, they might need to rule out other conditions before making their decision, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.
If they determine that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to obtain an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to receive ADHD medication on the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
If you live in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose the provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure the best choice for you, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can use one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which has a very helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. adult adhd diagnoses of private 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 affect your daily life, and information about any relevant medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide about the assessment process. 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 as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not have a doctor who will refer you to one. This is a bit more expensive however, it will give you the fastest means to get a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they will refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They'll also take into consideration other health conditions which can hinder your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is because most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more issues as you get older and encounter more difficulties. This is especially true if your did not get the right assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.