How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK<br /><br />If you suspect you have ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.<br /><br />You could be eligible to receive Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.<br /><br />1. Talk to your GP<br /><br />Doctors are often the first port of call for people who think that they or their child might have ADHD. They can be attentive and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Based on the location of your home, this might be free of charge, or you may be required pay a small amount. You can find more information on the NHS website.<br /><br />It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you or your child may have difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.<br /><br />A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take a look at how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they impact your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).<br /><br />If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get an alternative one. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment however it's well worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.<br /><br />After you've been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. 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 should also check if your or your child has suffered from similar symptoms before to be able to examine the data. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.<br /><br />2. Request an assessment with a specialist<br /><br /><br /><br />There are several NHS specialist centres that are able to perform ADHD evaluations. You will need to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably have to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them before your appointment, if you are able to.<br /><br />Your specialist will examine your symptoms within the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They might ask for your school or work records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you're functioning, and may want to look into other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.<br /><br />If you're 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. But now we know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and continue to impact your life.<br /><br />Whether you are an adult or child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to know that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. The private doctor can assist you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.<br /><br />If you're in England you are legally entitled to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you think that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with a specialist in your region. This is often a quicker route than going through your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.<br /><br />3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor<br /><br />Talk to your GP If you think you or your child could have ADHD. Although they aren't in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way however, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. Then, they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to speed up the process if they have an extensive waiting list.<br /><br />Once you have been identified to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see an Psychologist 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 qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.<br /><br />During the appointment, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if 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 require a diagnosis such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.<br /><br />If they decide that you have ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a form for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician 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 of medication and CBT is most efficient. However, everyone is different.<br /><br />It is crucial to understand that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose', and it applies to adults as well as children. If you aren't sure which one to go with, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. <a href="https://postheaven.net/fluteactor12/what-do-you-need-to-know-to-be-ready-to-adhd-diagnosis-uk">adults diagnosed with adhd</a> can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide about how to do this.<br /><br />4. Book an assessment with a specialist<br /><br />There are numerous specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can book an appointment for a diagnostic examination via phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they impact you and your daily life. They may also want to know details about your medical history. They will be looking to find out if any of your family members have ADHD.<br /><br />Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD.<br /><br />If you don't have a GP who will refer 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 however you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if required.<br /><br />A good psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to search for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that can hinder your ability to concentrate, such as addiction disorders or depression.<br /><br />Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they may cause more issues as you age and encounter more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.<br /><br />It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed when you're an ethnic minority or an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.<br /><br />