How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They should take your concerns very seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. You may experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk to your doctor
GPs are often a first port of call for people who think that they or their child could have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free or you may be required to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself may struggle to stay focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. Click Webpage will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they impact your life. They will also determine whether your child's or you're symptoms are more easily explained by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out another one. This can be difficult and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed quickly once you have been sent to a specialist. GPs will ask for details about your child's symptoms. 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 experienced these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialist centres which can perform ADHD tests. You will have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your school or job documents, or talk to your teachers, parents or daycare staff about your childhood. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem - it is also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall functioning and may want to look into other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and still have a significant impact on your life.
If you're an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that when you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially be obtained from the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England you have a legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment via the internet with an expert. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. They may not be able formally diagnose you with ADHD however they should be attentive to your concerns and inquire about how it has affected your family and you. Then, they'll refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find advice on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page on how to speed up this process.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medication through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine whether they are in line with the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some instances, they might need to rule out conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They may also need to rule out any substance or alcohol use out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that you will be able access ADHD medication through the NHS from your GP. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most efficient, however everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide on how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
In the UK There are a variety of specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly. Most private healthcare providers will allow you to book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and details of any relevant medical background. They will also ask whether any family members have ADHD.
Your doctor will talk you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. If needed, your psychiatrist may refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to search for more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more issues as you get older and face more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not get the right assistance as a child.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis if you're a member of the minority group or are a gender non-conforming individual. 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 properly analysing your symptoms.