How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for for a long time you can request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out an alternative. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor but you should not settle for less. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly. Ask your GP If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to do this for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If https://zenwriting.net/crimebail6/what-how-to-get-diagnosed-with-adhd-in-adults-experts-want-you-to-be-educated agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you're an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children grow out 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 will refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. This is called the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for the provider to be able 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 for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you. You should also consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or in the event that 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 those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to a GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis. They will inform them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask them to refer you back. After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over time. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your school. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.