How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to work. Due to shortages of medication and delays in receiving diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to adhd diagnosis in adults uk who suspect that they or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live it could be free of charge or you might have to pay a fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms aren't able to be considered serious. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and having a diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child might have difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD Based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long your or your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they affect your life. They will also determine whether your child's or you're symptoms can be explained better by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
We suggest you try to find an alternative GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for a referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. The doctor will ask you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, a questionnaire and a medical exam. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They should also verify if you or your child has had these symptoms previously, so they can examine the data. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can carry out ADHD assessments. You'll have to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely have to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may ask to see your work or school records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will look at the whole picture of how you are functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that, when you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you are a private patient, you will be prescribed medication via the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England you have a legal right to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
Talk with your GP if you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD. They may not be able formally diagnose you with ADHD but they should be attentive to your concerns and ask how it's affected your family and you. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been diagnosed and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see an Psychologist to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether they meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a decision, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule any drug or alcohol use out.
If they find that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different.
If you reside in England, it is worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider that your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you're unsure of which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem too long it is possible to choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which offers a great guide about how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
In the UK there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can book a diagnostic assessment by phone or video with most private providers. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to be diagnosed. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to search for more evidence to support it by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed as adults and not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more issues as you age and face more problems. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper assistance as a child.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis in the event that you're a minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior without properly analysing your symptoms.