How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD, talk to your GP. They should consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD will often consult their GP first. They can be attentive and refer you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the location you live in the assessment could be free or you could have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to remember that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why you or your child 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 consider how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your your child's issues could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We recommend that you find a new GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't treat ADHD seriously. This can be difficult however, it's worth asking for referral. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you have been sent to a specialist. The doctor will request you or your child to provide details about your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, a 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 look to see whether you or your child have suffered from these issues in the past, so they can compare. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centres that are able to perform ADHD evaluations. You will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to 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 in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your work or school records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as a child. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you're functioning and may also wish to check for other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and remain a significant influence on your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that when you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. Private clinics will be able to assist you with this, and usually provide your GP with paperwork for a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule a private appointment online with an expert in your area. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
If you think you or your child may have ADHD, the first thing to do is talk to your GP. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD formally however, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and yourself. They should then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been identified to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment, the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine whether 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 certain cases, they might have to rule out other conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They might also have to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they find that you have ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you'll be able to access ADHD medication on the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT is most effective. However, every person is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you reside in 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', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem too long it is possible to choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
There are many specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly yourself. see this site will allow you to book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, as well as details of any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your doctor will talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and strategies for coping. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis more quickly. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you have ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to look for more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They may also look into other health conditions which can hinder your ability to concentrate, including addiction and depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. This is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more issues as you get older and face more problems. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the proper support as in your early years.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis when you're an ethnic minority or an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about how someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior, without taking note of your symptoms.