How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD Patients often have to deal with a network gatekeepers. It is evident that a lot of these gatekeepers, notably in NHS CCGs, are not following the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some private ADHD clinics aren't properly regulated. This can result in inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that can cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I find out if I have an accurate diagnosis? ADHD is a mental illness and can only be diagnosed by a medical professional with specialist expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often report ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have been struggling for a long period of time. They may feel trapped in their current situation and desperate for assistance. The NHS can be difficult for those looking for the diagnosis. You can receive an appointment with the NHS by asking your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and should be able to refer you for an assessment but you may have to wait until the specialist is available. In order to assess your ADHD healthcare professionals look at any mental health issues you might have had in the past and your family history. To assess your behavior, they'll observe you in different situations, including at home, school or at work. You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They might also inquire about your social life, relationships and other activities you do on a regular basis. A specialist will look at all the evidence before making a diagnose. They will make use of criteria, like being constantly active and fidgety, possessing a short attention span or difficulty focusing at work or school and having difficulty staying focused on tasks or tasks, not completing them and being overly active. The diagnosis will be made upon the presence of these characteristics in multiple settings, affecting your performance, and if there is an identifiable pattern that has been evident for at least six years. In recent months there has been a rise in the number of celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a rise in the number of people who are seeking an assessment, which could result in long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families avoid the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This can be costly. It is crucial to select a healthcare provider that you can trust and to be honest about your symptoms. What happens during the assessment? The method of the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life, like "What problems do you experience at home?", "How do your symptoms impact on work?", and "Do you have any other symptoms you believe might be related to ADHD?" You may have to fill out different forms or questionnaires before your appointment, based on the location you're taking for your examination. It is essential to complete these forms as quickly as possible so that your appointment won't be delayed. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD to ensure that you identify them and discuss how they impact your life in detail. The test will usually involve an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another illness or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss possible treatment options with you which may involve medication. Remember that GPs and nurses will not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore crucial to identify your symptoms and practice them before you take part in the evaluation. This will enable you to describe your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have impacted on all aspects of your life, from work to relationships and how they have changed over time. You might have some tests done as part of your assessment for example, the blood test to look for any allergies. Your therapist might suggest additional tests to check whether you have any other medical conditions. If you are self-referring, or enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is crucial to know that although you pay for your private assessment, you still have to wait for NHS funded appointments - and this can vary between NHS trusts and from one physician to another. What happens if I don't get an answer to my question? There are many factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/ can be harder for some groups of people to be diagnosed, for instance those who are of colour or assigned female at birth or if you have other mental health issues, such as depression or bipolar disorder. If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about the issue and ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist. You may also locate a private psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD tests. They can offer a faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and decide whether they fit the criteria for ADHD using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also rule out other possible reasons for your symptoms like anxiety, depression or thyroid issues. This can be a thorough procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to give all the evidence required (for instance, they may have trouble finding old school reports in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD, even when your GP agrees to refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is able to diagnose ADHD when they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think that you don't meet the requirements, they will inform you why. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, it is legal in the UK to access treatment via the NHS. This is applicable to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You could be able receive medication through an individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. You could be referred by your physician to prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first and don't usually plan long titration phases. It can be helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and online. They can be extremely positive and reassuring and can be a great way to discuss your experiences with others who understand. How can I get treatment? Adults are sent to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports and patients are often denied accessing care. This is due to long waiting periods or rejection of referrals. Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome the absence of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics offer a more accurate, professional and speedier diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities like depression and anxiousness, which are common in ADHD. They can assist in titrating the final dose. The cost is ranging from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are priced separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD varies from person to. The majority of people are treated using medication. This may be methylphenidates such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial, such as education and training for families and parents of those with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have found that changing their diet and developing an appropriate schedule for sleep can help. Some people find that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However, the evidence for these therapies is less extensive. It is unacceptable that a lot of adults with ADHD are unable to get the treatment and care they require from the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities must take action urgently to rectify this issue. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment, free from discrimination and in accordance with their rights under the law. To reduce this unmet demand it is crucial to create long-term plans for funding and provide health, social, and judicial services together. The current state of affairs is not sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and society is hugely damaging. It is time to invest in this area.