How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They will take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. Due to the shortage of medications there could be delays in getting diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD will often seek out their doctor first. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the location you live in it could be free or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. adhd diagnostic is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and having a diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child might have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider how long your child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We recommend that you try to find an alternative GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you have been recommended. The doctor will ask you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, a questionnaire, and a medical exam. 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 should also determine if you or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously to be able to examine the data. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Make an appointment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can carry out ADHD assessments. You'll need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may ask to see your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers, or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. ADHD is more than a behavior problem. Full Article is also linked to the way in which your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning, and may want to look into other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist what time you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But now we have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and still have a significant impact on your life.
You will be given medication, regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. 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 for a shared-care agreement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England, you have the legal right to choose your doctor and mental health team. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with an expert in your area. This is often a quicker method than going to your GP and is a more cost-effective option too.
3. Have your GP to refer you
If you think you or your child might have ADHD, the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way however, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected you and your family. Then, they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have suggestions on how to speed up the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only method to get access to medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they meet the ADHD criteria. 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 their decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also need to eliminate any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix of medications and CBT is most effective. However, everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about which provider to choose, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are numerous specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or directly yourself. You can schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination via phone or video with most private providers. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, as well as specific details about any medical background. They will be looking to find out if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your doctor will guide about the assessment process. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. This is a bit more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts, they'll 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 issues that could affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed as adults not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms only manifest in adults and cause more problems as you get older and face more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis if you're a member of an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.