How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. Due to shortages of medication there could be delays in receiving diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child may have ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may have to pay. More details are available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child's trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD Based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider how long your your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or your symptoms are better explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out an alternative one. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment however it's well worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed quickly once you have been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for details about your child's symptoms. 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 check if your or your child has experienced these symptoms previously and compare the information. This is important since the diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Make an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD tests. You'll have to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You will probably need to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for diagnosing adults. how is adhd diagnosed in adults may ask for your school or job records, or talk with your teachers, parents, or daycare providers about your childhood. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem - it is also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you are functioning, and may want to look into other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your specialist how long you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and they will remain a significant influence on your life.
Whether you are an adult or child, you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to know that when you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. The private doctor can assist you in this process and provide your GP documents to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England you are legally entitled to choose your doctor and mental health team. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can book an online appointment with a specialist. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is talk to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner, they will be able to take 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 offer suggestions on how to speed up the process if they have a lengthy waiting list.
After you've been identified to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see an Psychologist for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to access medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this appointment, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and assess whether they fit 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 may require a diagnosis like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They may also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD, they will write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you can get ADHD medication on the NHS from your GP. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which one to choose or if NHS wait times seem too long you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
In the UK There are a variety of specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. 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 providers. They will ask you to provide information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with details of any relevant medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult will discuss how your symptoms have impacted your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not have a doctor who will recommend you to one. This is a bit more expensive however it will provide you the fastest way to get a diagnosis. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who knows you well. They will also consider other health conditions which can affect your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as adults not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and they can cause more problems as you get older and encounter more challenges. This is especially true if your did not get the right support as a young person.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed if you're a member of a minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.