20 Trailblazers Leading The Way In How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD, talk to your GP. They should take your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to medication shortages there could be delays in receiving diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD are likely to consult their doctor first. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the area you live in, it may be free or you could be required to pay. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why you or your child may have difficulty staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD through observations as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider how long your or your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
We recommend that you try to find a new GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. This can be difficult, but it's worth asking for a referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed swiftly after you have been referred. GPs will ask for details of your or your child's symptoms. 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 look to see if you or your child have suffered from these issues in the past so they can compare. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD tests. You will need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They can take a long time to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment if possible.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your work or school documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as an infant. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to look into other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor how long you have been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will still have a significant impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately and you're prescribed medication, it will first come from the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with a form for a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with a specialist in your area. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. Have your GP to refer you to your doctor
If you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. While they may not be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and yourself. Then, they'll refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find advice on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed this up.
If you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this appointment the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine whether they meet 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 it is necessary to rule out other conditions before making a choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They may also have to exclude any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for a Shared Care Agreement. adhd diagnosing 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 combination of medication and CBT is the most effective. However, every person is different.
If you reside in England, it is worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose the healthcare provider that your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and 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 seem too long you can select one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly yourself. You can schedule an assessment of diagnostics via phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they impact your life and daily activities. They might also request details about your medical history. They will also want to know whether any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've 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 have symptoms of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not have a doctor who will recommend you to one. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis quicker. If needed, your psychiatrist may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They will also take into account other health issues that could impact your ability to focus, such as depression or an addiction disorder.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is because the majority of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more problems as you get older and encounter more difficulties. This is particularly relevant if you didn't receive the proper assistance as in your early years.
Sometimes it's difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly if you are from an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.