How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They should take your concerns seriously and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. Due to the shortage of medications, you could experience delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child may have ADHD will often consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free, or you might have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself may have difficulty staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also take into consideration how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or you're symptoms are better explained by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get an alternative one. It can be difficult to request a referral however it's well worth it. adhd in adults diagnosis can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for details about your child's symptoms, and 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 had these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centres which can conduct ADHD evaluations. You'll need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take a long time to complete so try and complete them before your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They might ask for your school or job documents, or talk to your teachers, parents or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning, and may want to look into other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your doctor will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child, you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you in this process and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book a private appointment online with a specialist in your area. This can be a faster and cheaper alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD formally but they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you a specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to speed up the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment the psychiatrist will take a examine your symptoms and determine whether they fit 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 like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can get ADHD medication on the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most efficient, but every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure of which provider to pick or if NHS wait times are too long, you can choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which offers a great guide about how to do this.
4. Make an appointment with a specialist
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private providers allow you to schedule a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they impact you and your daily routine. They might also ask for details of your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your strategies for coping. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you don't know a GP that will recommend you to one. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if needed.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts, they'll be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that may impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction disorders or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. It is because the majority of symptoms only appear as adults and can cause more problems as you age and face more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not get the right assistance as a child.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.