How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD Talk to your GP. They should consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live, it may be free or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It is important to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child's difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child is suffering from ADHD based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also take a look at how long your or your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your child's or your own symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
We recommend that you try to find an alternative GP if your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for an appointment with. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed quickly once you've been referred. The doctor will inquire with you or your child to provide details 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 will also want to determine if you or your child has suffered from these symptoms before and examine the data. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD tests. You'll need to ask for a referral from your GP. You'll probably need to fill in some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment if possible.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may ask for your work or school records, or talk with your teachers, parents, or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't only a problem with behavior It's also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your general functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. However, we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult or not. It is important to note that in the event that you are diagnosed privately then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. The private clinician should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with a form for a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can book an online appointment with an expert. This could be a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
Speak with your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child might have ADHD. They will not be able to identify you as having ADHD however they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting you and your family. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have suggestions on how to accelerate the process if you are on a long waiting lists.
If you've been diagnosed to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see psychiatrists for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only method to get access to medication through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this visit the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for ADHD. visit this link will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases it is necessary to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a decision, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a form to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor can prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT is most effective. However, every person is different.
It is important to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you're not sure which one to go with, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can choose one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or directly yourself. Most private healthcare providers will allow you to book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video. diagnosis for adhd in adults will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, as well as specific details about any medical history. 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 discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and strategies for coping. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. This is slightly more expensive however it will provide you the fastest way to be diagnosed. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can confirm this by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also take into account other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more issues as you get older and face more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.
Sometimes it can be difficult to receive a diagnosis, particularly when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about what an individual with ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior, without analysing your symptoms.