How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to shortages of medication, you could experience delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Speak with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD usually consult their doctor first. They can be attentive and refer you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the area you live in the assessment could be free, or you might have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD, especially if your symptoms don't seem to be taken seriously. It is important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself might have trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child has ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
We suggest that you look for a new GP If your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It can be difficult to ask for referrals, but it is worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed swiftly after you've been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for details about 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 want to check if your or your child has had these symptoms before, so they can compare information. This is important since the diagnosis of ADHD is only confirmed by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an assessment with an expert
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD assessments. You'll need to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably have to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adults. diagnosis for adhd in adults might ask for your school or job documents, or talk to your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way your brain works. Your specialist will look at your general functioning and may also want to examine other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and still have an impact on your life.
You will be given medication, regardless of whether you're an adult or not. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially come from the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you in this and will provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England you have a legal right to select your health care provider and mental health team. So, if you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your area. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you
If you think you or your child might have ADHD, the first thing to do is talk to your GP. They will not be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD but they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it has been affecting you and your family. Then, they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed this up.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required for access to medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and assess 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 exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also have to eliminate any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide that you have ADHD, they will write to your GP with a request to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix of medications and CBT is the most effective. But, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 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 too long you can select one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services or directly. You can request an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with most private companies. You will be asked to provide details regarding your symptoms and how they affect you and your daily life. They may also request details about your medical history. 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 talk about how your symptoms have impacted your life and how they've changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit the signs of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will recommend you to one. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can confirm this by asking questions or speaking to someone who knows you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, including addiction and depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more problems as you grow older and face more problems. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the proper support when you were a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get the diagnosis, especially in the case of a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without taking note of your symptoms.
