How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If https://output.jsbin.com/facozuveti/ waiting time 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 assess your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurance provider to find out. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is especially important in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with your current one. While https://jsfiddle.net/flameice4/b73ajz4f/ is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. https://kjerbarlow57.livejournal.com/profile could be administered in addition to the interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've been performing in various aspects of your life. After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who can listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for 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 that you also know the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to assistance. Ask your GP about medication options. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of your diagnosis. They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why and request a second referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end. You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options might be available. For example, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your school. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students allowance.