How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you think that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. You could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD are likely to consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on your location the assessment could be free of charge, or you might have to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with adhd diagnosis in adults is a difficult thing to do particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are being taken seriously. get diagnosed with adhd to know that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child might have trouble staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD based on 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 the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your daily life. They will also consider whether your child's or you're symptoms are better explained by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get a different one. It can be difficult to ask for referrals but it's worth it. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
If you've been referred for an assessment the process should be completed quickly. The doctor will ask you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, a questionnaire, and a 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 your or your child has had these symptoms previously to be able to compare information. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD evaluations. You will have to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely need to fill out questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may request your school or job documents, or talk to your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior - it is also related to the way your brain works. Your specialist will look at your overall functioning and may want to examine other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your doctor will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will remain a significant influence on your life.
You will be given medication, whether you are an adult child or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. The private clinician can assist you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health care team and the healthcare provider. If you think that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make a private appointment online with a specialist in your area. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for a referral
If you suspect you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. Although they won't be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way but they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected you and your family. Then, they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have advice on how to speed up the process if they have long waiting lists.
After you've been identified, you will be given an appointment to see psychiatrists for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send a form to your GP for a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medications and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
If you live in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose which applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
In the UK there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for the referral, or contact them directly. Most private providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide you through the assessment process. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for dealing with stress. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the signs of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. If necessary, your psychiatrist will 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 talking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They may also look into other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood and not as children. This is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more problems as you get older and face more difficulties. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper assistance as a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to receive an diagnosis, especially in the case of a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about how an individual with ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without analysing your symptoms.