"The How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD Awards: The Best, Worst, And Weirdest Things We've Ever Seen
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. Due to shortages of medication, you could experience delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
GPs are often a first point of contact when people suspect they or their child could have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you may have to pay a fee. More details can be found on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially if your symptoms don't seem to be taken seriously. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD based on observations as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at 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 your own symptoms are more easily explained by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking an alternative one. It isn't easy to request an appointment however it's well worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you have been referred. The doctor will request details about your child's symptoms. Then, the specialist should carry out 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 should also check if your or your child has experienced these symptoms previously, so they can compare information. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD tests. You will have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely have to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may request your school or work records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about your experiences as a child. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your specialist what time you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication whether you are an adult or not. It is important to note that in the event that you are diagnosed privately, you will initially receive your medication through the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, so that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health team and healthcare provider. If you believe that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This is often a quicker method than going to your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP for a referral
Talk with your GP if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD. While they may not be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way but they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and you. Then, they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to speed up the process if they have long waiting lists.
If you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine 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 instances, they might have to rule out other conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to obtain the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to access ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to go with, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can use one of the alternative providers who do 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 you can do it.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are many specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for the referral or directly. Most private providers allow you to schedule a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they affect you and your daily life. They might also want to know details of your medical background. adhd diagnosis adult uk will be looking to find out if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed with time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who is willing to refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one yourself by booking an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis quicker. If needed, your psychiatrist will refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts they can find more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who knows you well. They will also take into account other health issues that could hinder your ability to concentrate like depression or an addiction disorder.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood, not children. This is because the majority of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more problems as you age and encounter more challenges. This is especially the case if you did not receive the appropriate support when you were an infant.
Sometimes it's difficult to receive the diagnosis, especially if you are from a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing the signs.