How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting a long time, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports.
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 then the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You could also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms.
When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can utilize your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly.
Ask your doctor
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. 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 get rid of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition.
Right to Pick
If you reside in England, and your GP is in agreement that here you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you are entitled to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by calling 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 need to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor.
You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can provide to a GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.
A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth 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 environments and situations. It is often helpful when you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of the diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you again.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your school. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.