How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly important when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. https://writeablog.net/locustnode0/do-not-believe-in-these-trends-concerning-adhd-diagnosis-uk-adults should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not have to settle for less than what you deserve. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select which location to receive your NHS assessments. https://jsfiddle.net/galleyokra9/rLskt0c3/ offers a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're a university student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. 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 aren't treated of it. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also find out the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP. It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide support. Ask your GP about medication options. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes a template form that you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial if you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue a diagnosis. They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why, and you can request an additional referral. After receiving an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your school. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.