How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the location you live in it could be free or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child's trouble staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms might be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
We suggest that you find an alternative GP If your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for an appointment with. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
If you've been referred to an assessment the process should go quickly. Doctors will want to know the details about your child's symptoms. Then, the specialist should carry out an interview, questionnaire, and medical examination. 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 determine whether you or your child have had these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This is important since only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD tests. You'll need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You'll probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take a long time to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment, if you are able to.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue it's also connected to the way your brain works. Your doctor will examine your overall functioning and may want to assess other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your specialist what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you with this and provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your area. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD, the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and yourself. They should then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find guidance on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page on how to speed this up.
After you have been directed to a psychiatrist you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During adhd diagnosis for adults Iam Psychiatry , the psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine if you are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases, they might require a diagnosis such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They might also need to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will send a letter to your GP with paperwork to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that you will be able receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people prefer a mix of medications and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.
If you reside in England, it is important to know that you have a legal right to choose the healthcare provider that your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you aren't sure which provider to choose, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are numerous specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can request an appointment for a diagnostic examination via video or phone call with most private providers. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, how they impact you and your daily routine. They may also request details about your 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 your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for coping. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a doctor who will refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. If necessary, your psychiatrist will refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to search for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood, not children. This is because most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more problems as you age and face more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not get the right assistance as a child.
Sometimes it is difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly if you are from a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about how someone with ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing you symptoms.