How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They will require evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. Medical professionals don't have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve. Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP agrees to refer you, you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. https://glenn-meadows-2.federatedjournals.com/adhd-diagnoses-its-not-as-difficult-as-you-think may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP. It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to assistance. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with an assessment. They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will explain why and you may request a second referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This could save you money over time. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.