How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. Due to shortages of medication there could be delays in getting diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
Doctors are often the first port of call for people who think that they or their child might have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Based on the location of your home it could be free of charge or you may be required to pay a fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or you may struggle to stay focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also take a look at the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We suggest you find an alternative GP if your current one does not treat ADHD seriously. It can be difficult to get referrals however it's well worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you talk to your GP.
Once you have been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The GP will ask you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, 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 check if you or your child experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with an expert
There are many NHS specialist centers which can conduct ADHD assessments. You'll have to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your work or school records, or talk with your parents, teachers, or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your specialist will look at your overall functioning and may want to examine other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your doctor will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. 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 continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult or not. It is important to note that if you are diagnosed privately then you'll initially receive your medication on the NHS. adult diagnosis of adhd will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documents to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. If you think that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make a private appointment online with a specialist in your area. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk is a quicker and less expensive alternative to seeing your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. They may not be able officially diagnose you with ADHD, but they must take your concerns seriously and inquire about how it has affected your family and you. Then, they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there's advice on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed things up.
After you have been directed to a psychiatrist you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will assess 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 instances it is necessary to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to obtain a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to access ADHD medication on the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medications and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
If you reside in England, it is worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose the provider your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about which provider to choose or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how you can do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral, or contact them directly yourself. You can request an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they affect your life and daily activities. They might also ask for details about your medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not have a doctor who will recommend you to one. This is a bit more expensive however it will provide you the fastest way to get a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts, they will be able to search for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions which can affect your ability to concentrate, including addiction and depression.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood and not as children. This is because the majority of the symptoms only appear in adults, and can cause more problems as you age and confront more challenges. This is especially true if your did not get the right support as a child.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed in the event that you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.