How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to the shortage of medications there could be delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
GPs are often a first point of contact when people suspect they or their child could have ADHD. They can be attentive and send you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on your location it could be free or you may have to pay a small fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself may struggle to stay focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. They will also take a look at how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out an alternative one. This can be difficult and it's a good idea to ask for referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you've been referred. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms, and the specialist should carry out 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 determine if you or your child has experienced these symptoms before to be able to compare the information. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD is only done by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD tests. You will have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your physician will assess your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your school or job records, or talk with your teachers, parents, or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the whole picture of how you are functioning, and may want to check for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
If adult diagnosis of adhd 're an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and still have an impact on your life.
You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult or not. It is important to note that if you're diagnosed by a private doctor then you'll initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England, you are legally entitled to select your doctor and mental health team. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment with a specialist in your region. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. Although they won't be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way however, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you a specialist to be assessed and treated. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have advice on how to speed up the process if you are on a long waiting lists.
If you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During adhd diagnosis adult will review your symptoms and determine whether 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 certain cases, they might need to rule out other conditions before making a decision, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They might also need to eliminate any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to sign an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people prefer a mix of medications and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as '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 are too long you can select one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can book an assessment of diagnostics via phone or video with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they impact your life and daily activities. They might also request details of your medical background. They will also ask if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will send you to an ADHD assessment, you can always find one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis quicker. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if needed.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts, they'll be able to search for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health issues that could impact your ability to focus like depression or an addiction disorder.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood and not as children. This is because the majority of symptoms only appear as adults and can cause more issues as you age and face more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get an diagnosis, especially if you are from a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.