How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, talk to your GP. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child might have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live, this might be free or you may have to pay a small fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child's difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child suffers 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 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 your own symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
We suggest you find an alternative GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't take ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment, but it is worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you have been referred. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms. Then, 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 want to verify if you or your child has had these symptoms previously, so they can compare information. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers that can perform ADHD assessments. You'll need to ask for a referral from your GP. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult 'll likely have to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may request your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as an infant. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue - it is also related to the way that your brain works. Our Webpage will assess your overall functioning and may want to assess other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting 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 persist into adulthood and remain a significant influence on your life.
You will be offered medication, regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It is important to note that, if you're diagnosed privately, you will initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private clinician can assist you in this process and provide your GP documentation to sign a shared-care agreement, which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription cost.
In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and healthcare provider. If you think that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist in your area. This can be a faster and more cost-effective alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD, the first thing to do is talk to your GP. They will not be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD, but they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it has been affecting your family and you. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide advice on how to speed up the process if they have long waiting lists.
After you have been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. Our Webpage from a psychiatrist is required for access to medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if they meet 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 determine if they have any other medical conditions before making their decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also have to exclude any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send a form to your GP to sign the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix between medication and CBT is the most effective. However, every person is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which one to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive, you can choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with an expert
There are many specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. The majority of private providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they impact you and your daily routine. They may also request information about your medical background. They will also want to know whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide about the assessment process. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your strategies for coping. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one on your own by making an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis faster. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly 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 consider other health conditions that can hinder your ability to concentrate for a long time, such as addiction disorders or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more problems as you age and encounter more difficulties. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.
Sometimes it's difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly in the case of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing you symptoms.