How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you think that you might have ADHD. They should consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child may have ADHD usually seek out their doctor first. They can take your concerns very seriously and send you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Depending on your location the assessment could be free or you may have to pay a fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself might have trouble staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD through observations as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your daily life. They will also consider whether your child's or your symptoms are more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
We suggest that you find a new GP in the event that your current doctor does not treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment, but it is worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you've been referred. GPs will ask for 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. They will also check if you or your child have experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only confirmed by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centres which can conduct ADHD tests. You will need to request your GP to recommend one of these. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They may ask for your work or school documents, or talk to your teachers, parents, or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than a behavior problem. It is also linked to the way your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you're functioning and may also wish to look into other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and still have an impact on your life.
You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It is important to note that if you are diagnosed privately then you'll initially receive your medication on the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. If you think that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with an expert in your area. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Have your GP to refer you
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 in a formal way but they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
Once you have been referred and accepted, you will receive an appointment with psychiatrists 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 the psychiatrist will take a examine your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any substance or alcohol abuse out.
If they find that you have ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to sign the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. adhd diagnosis in adults uk will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medications and CBT is most effective. However, every person is different.
If you live in England it is worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose the provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you aren't sure which one to go with or think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can make use of alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide about how to do this.
4. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly yourself. Most private healthcare providers will allow you to book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, how they affect you and your daily life. They might also ask for details about your medical history. They will be looking to find out whether any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk about the assessment process. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will send you to an ADHD assessment You can always locate one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. 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 qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They'll also take into consideration other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate, including depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more problems as you get older and face more difficulties. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.