How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may have ADHD. They must be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. Due to shortages of medication there could be delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD will often seek out their doctor first. They will take your concerns very seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free or you may have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially if you don't feel like your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child may have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider the length of time the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they affect your life. They will also look at whether your child's or your own symptoms can be explained better by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get another one. This can be difficult however, it's worth asking for referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
If you've been referred for an assessment the process should be completed quickly. Doctors will want to know the details about 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 want to determine if you or your child has experienced similar symptoms before to be able to examine the data. This is crucial as a diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD assessments. adhd diagnoses will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably have to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They can take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them before your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your employment or school documents, or talk to your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you are functioning and may also want to check for other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.
You will be given medication, whether you are an adult or not. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you with this and provide your GP documents to sign a shared-care agreement, which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment online with a specialist. This is usually a faster option than visiting your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
If you think you or your child might have ADHD, the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way but they will take your concerns seriously. adhd diagnostic will ask you about how it has affected you and your family. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to accelerate the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been identified and accepted, you will receive an appointment with psychiatrists to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to access medications through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if you are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases, they might have to rule out other conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They may also need to rule any drug or alcohol use out.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a request to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy 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 'Right To Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure which provider to select or if the NHS wait times are too long you can select one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are numerous specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly yourself. You can schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination via video or phone call with most private companies. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they affect you and your daily life. They might also ask for information about your medical background. They will also ask whether any family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not know a physician who will refer you to one. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis faster. If necessary, your psychiatrist may refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to search for more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that may impact your ability to focus like depression or an addiction disorder.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more problems as you get older and face more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis in the event that you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing you symptoms.