How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you think that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk with your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child might suffer from ADHD usually seek out their doctor first. They will be attentive and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the area you live in it could be free or you could have to pay. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to remember that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child might have difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long your your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how much they affect your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We suggest that you find a new GP if your current one does not treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed in a short time after you've been referred. The GP will inquire with you or your child to provide details about your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, 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 will also look to see whether you or your child have had these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Make an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD tests. You'll need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may ask for your school or job records, or speak with your teachers, parents or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you're functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and continue to impact your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that if you're diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication through the NHS. adhd diagnosis uk adult will be able to assist you with this and provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
If you're located in England you have a legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. If you think that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment on the internet with an expert in your area. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to seeing 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 to speak to your GP. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD formally but they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you an expert to be assessed and treated. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to speed up the process if you are on a an extensive waiting list.
If you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and assess whether 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 cases, they might need to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any substance or alcohol addiction out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD, they will write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT is the 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 provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose', and it applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem excessive it is possible to choose one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can request an appointment for a diagnostic examination via phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily life. They may also ask for details about your medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a doctor who is willing to refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive however, it will give you the fastest means to be diagnosed. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction disorders or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. It is because the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more problems as you age and encounter more problems. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a young person.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of a minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without properly taking note of your symptoms.