How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting an extended period and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request evidence including childhood history - school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If https://articlescad.com/the-top-reasons-for-diagnose-adhds-biggest-myths-about-diagnose-adhd-might-be-true-22438.html don't have insurance, you may opt for an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for anything less. Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose which location to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted along with the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason it might be worth switching your GP in particular in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition. Right to Pick If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement that a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're not able 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. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you. Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from 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 an issue that is increasing, especially for women, people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial if you have family members or a friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of your diagnosis. They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. Once you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.