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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider – known as Right to Choose. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk I Am Psychiatry will conduct an interview to determine your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may opt for an individual service. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Medical professionals don't have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately diagnose your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to feel comfortable with your physician however, you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they don't want to do this for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. After a formal diagnosis the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a university student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition. Right to Choose If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you find out the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to assistance. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to the GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of the diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask for a referral. After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This could save you money over time. It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options that can help with your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.