How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible for Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. Due to shortages of medication there could be delays in receiving diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Speak with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD will often consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live it could be free, or you might be required to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD particularly if your symptoms don't seem to be taken seriously. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why your child or you may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine 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 consider how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your daily life. They will also consider whether your child's or your symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking another one. It can be difficult to get an appointment but it's worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
If you've been referred for an assessment the process should be completed quickly. The GP will inquire with you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, a questionnaire, and a 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 has had these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This is important since only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD tests. You'll need to request for a referral from your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your school or work documents or talk to your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as an infant. ADHD is more than just a behavior problem. It is also linked to the way that your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning, and may want to check for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you have been suffering from ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and still have an impact on your life.
No matter if you're an adult or child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. Private clinics is likely to be able assist you with this, and will usually provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement on shared care, which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're located in England, you have the legal right to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you think that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule a private appointment online with a specialist in your region. This can be a faster and cheaper alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
Speak to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child might have ADHD. They won't be able to identify you as having ADHD, but they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it's affected your family and you. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to accelerate the process if you are on a an extensive waiting list.
If you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine whether they satisfy 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, they might need to rule out conditions like anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they determine that you have ADHD they will write to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT is the most effective. But, everyone is different.
If you live in England and are a resident of England, it's important to know that you have a legal right to choose which provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about which one to go with or think the NHS waiting times are too long, 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 provides a helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
In the UK There are a variety of specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private providers will let you book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. 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 history. They will also ask whether any family members have ADHD.
Your doctor will guide 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 and your coping strategies. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not know a physician who will recommend you to one. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis more quickly. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment, if needed.
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 you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They will also take into account other health issues that could hinder your ability to concentrate like addiction or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more problems as you age and encounter more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed when you're a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.