How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They will be attentive and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible for Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. You could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free or you might have pay a small amount. More information is available on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to know that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child might have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and any other people who know you. They will also consider how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also determine whether your child's or you're symptoms can be explained better by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get another one. It isn't easy to request a referral, but it is worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
Once you have been referred to an assessment the process should be completed quickly. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. Then, 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 want to check if your or your child has had these symptoms previously and examine the data. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Book an assessment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD evaluations. You will have to ask your GP to recommend one of these. You'll probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They can take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may request your school or work records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue it's also connected to the way your brain works. Your specialist will look at your overall performance and may decide to assess other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your physician will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood, and they'll still have a significant impact on your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that if you're diagnosed privately then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England, you have a legal right to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. If adult adhd diagnosis uk feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could book an online appointment with a specialist. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is speak to your GP. They will not be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD, but they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it has been affecting you and your family. They will then refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have suggestions on how to accelerate the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required for access to medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine if 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 some instances they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a decision, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also have to rule out any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a form for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that you will be able receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination between medications and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive it is possible to choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to use it.
4. Book an assessment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or directly. Most private healthcare providers will let you book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video call. They will ask you to provide details about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and specific details about any medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide you through the assessment process. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for dealing with stress. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a physician who will send you to an ADHD assessment You can always locate one on your own by making an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis quicker. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions which can affect your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is because the majority of the symptoms only appear in adults, and can cause more problems as you age and encounter more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the appropriate support as an infant.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get an diagnosis, especially when you belong to an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing the signs.