How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first point of contact for people who think that they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on your location it could be free of charge, or you might have to pay a small fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine whether 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 consider how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or your symptoms are more easily explained by a different condition (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get an alternative one. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for a referral. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you have been recommended. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. the specialist will conduct 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 if you or your child has experienced similar symptoms before and compare the information. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to conduct ADHD tests. You'll need to request for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way in which your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also want to assess you for other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It is important to know that when you're diagnosed privately and you're prescribed medication, it will first come from the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care agreement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're located in England you have the legal right to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you feel that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This could be a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
If you suspect you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD, but they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting your family and you. They should then refer you to a specialist to be assessed and treated. If they are on a long waiting list, there's guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed this up.
After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to obtain medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and assess 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 may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a decision, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They might also have to eliminate any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide that you have ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
If you reside in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose the provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you are unsure about the best choice for you or 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 has a guide on how you can do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for a referral to these, or contact them directly yourself. You can schedule an assessment of diagnostics via phone or video with most private companies. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical background. They will be looking to find out whether any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your coping strategies. They will use this information to assess whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who knows you well. They will also consider other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, including addiction and depression.
adhd diagnosis adult uk of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more issues as you age and confront more problems. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper assistance as a child.
Sometimes it's difficult to get the diagnosis, especially when you belong to a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.