How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will examine you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will require documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt for an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms. It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for less. Your doctor could recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP particularly if you want to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to refer you, you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, since the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in various aspects of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining 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 may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the symptoms. Right to choose If https://holmes-malloy.thoughtlanes.net/20-best-tweets-of-all-time-about-adhd-diagnosis-near-me reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for 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 also recommended to know the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to support you. It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for doing this on their website which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is usually helpful when you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment. They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't think you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and ask for an additional referral. After receiving an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you are a student at a university, for example you could request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable, and Disabled Student's Allowance.