How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK<br /><br />Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.<br /><br />You could be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to medication shortages.<br /><br />1. Talk to your GP<br /><br />If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their GP first. They can take your concerns seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.<br /><br />Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to remember that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child may have trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.<br /><br />A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD based on observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or your own symptoms are more easily explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).<br /><br />We recommend that you find a new GP if your current one does not treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for referrals, but it is worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.<br /><br />The assessment process should be completed swiftly after you've been referred. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. 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 check if you or your child has had these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is important since the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.<br /><br />2. Book an assessment with a specialist<br /><br />There are several NHS specialization centers which can perform ADHD tests. You'll need to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely have to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment if you can.<br /><br />Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your work or school records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as an infant. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue it's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to examine other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.<br /><br />If you are an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.<br /><br />You will be offered medication whether you are an adult or not. It is important to know that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you with this and provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.<br /><br />In <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment">adhd diagnosis in adults</a> , you are legally entitled to choose your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can book an online appointment with a specialist. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.<br /><br />3. Have your GP to refer you to a<br /><br />If you think you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner however, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected you and your family. They must then refer you a specialist to be assessed and treated. If they have a long waiting list, they can find advice on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page on how to speed this up.<br /><br />After you have been directed to a psychiatrist you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to access medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.<br /><br /><br /><br />During this appointment the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if they fit 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 cases they may have to rule out other conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also have to rule out any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.<br /><br />If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to get ADHD medication on the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medications and CBT is most effective. However, everyone is different.<br /><br />It is important to know 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 the 'Right to Choose,' and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to select or if the 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 which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it.<br /><br />4. Book an appointment with a specialist<br /><br />In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or call them directly yourself. You can book an assessment of diagnostics via phone or video with most private companies. They will require you to provide details about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.<br /><br />Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.<br /><br />You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not have a doctor who will refer you to one. This is a bit more expensive however, it will give you the fastest means to receive a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.<br /><br />A qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They'll also take into consideration other health issues that could hinder your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.<br /><br />Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is because most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more issues as you age and encounter more difficulties. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the proper support as an infant.<br /><br />Sometimes it can be difficult to get the diagnosis, especially when you belong to a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.<br /><br />