"The How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD Awards: The Best, Worst And Strangest Things We've Ever Seen
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD Talk to your GP. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to employment. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Speak to your doctor
The GP is often the first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child could have ADHD. Highly recommended Resource site will take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on your location the assessment could be free or you may be required pay a small amount. Find more details on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to remember that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child might have difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also take into consideration how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also look at whether your or your child's issues could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking another one. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
After you've been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. The doctor will request specific details of 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 will also verify if you or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously, so they can compare the information. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialist centres which can conduct ADHD tests. You'll need to ask for a referral from your GP. You'll likely need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem It's also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you're functioning and may also want to check for other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
If you're an adult or child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication through the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement on shared care, so that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make a private appointment online with an expert in your area. This is often a quicker method than going to your GP, and can be a more cost-effective option too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you
If you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD, but they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide tips on how to speed up the process if they have a lengthy waiting list.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and assess 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 some instances they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also have to rule out any substance or alcohol abuse out.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP to obtain a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different.
If you reside in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose the provider your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about which provider to choose or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are many specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can request 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 impact your daily life, as well as information about any relevant medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about how your symptoms have impacted your life and how they've changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a physician who will refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis quicker. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts, they'll be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or speaking to people who know you well. Read Home will also consider other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus, such as depression or an addiction disorder.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more problems as you grow older and face more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't get the right assistance as a child.
Sometimes it's 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 an individual with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing the signs.