How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK<br /><br />Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their provider - known as Right to Choose.<br /><br />A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence, including childhood histories - school reports are sometimes requested.<br /><br />Find a psychiatrist<br /><br />Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're unsure if a psychiatrist is in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You could also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may opt for an individual service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients.<br /><br />Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You'll need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly.<br /><br /><br /><br />If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for an alternative. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve.<br /><br />Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.<br /><br />In England, you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.<br /><br />Ask your GP<br /><br />If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD.<br /><br />Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future.<br /><br />If your GP agrees to refer you, you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life.<br /><br />Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you.<br /><br />Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.<br /><br />Right to pick<br /><br />If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is called the "Right to Choose". <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/">Read Far more</a> that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details.<br /><br />You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis.<br /><br />Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.<br /><br />You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.<br /><br />You should also seek advice from your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD.<br /><br />Private Assessment<br /><br />If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website, which includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.<br /><br />A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.<br /><br />They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask for a referral.<br /><br />After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end.<br /><br />It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.<br /><br />