How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They must be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. Due to the shortage of medications and delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
Doctors are often the first point of contact for people who think that they or their child could have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free or you may have to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It is important to remember that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself may have difficulty staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and any other people who know you. They will also consider how long your or the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they affect your life. They will also consider whether your child's or your own symptoms can be explained better by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out a different one. This can be difficult however, it's worth asking for an appointment with. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed quickly once you have been recommended. The doctor will request you or your child for details about your symptoms. The specialist will 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 determine if you or your child has suffered from similar symptoms before and compare the information. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Request an assessment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD tests. You will need to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely have to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may request your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to assess other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to know that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor the medication will initially come from the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you in this and will provide your GP documents to sign a shared-care agreement, which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
If you're located in England, you have a legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make a private appointment online with a specialist in your area. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP and is cheaper too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a
Speak with your GP If you think you or your child might have ADHD. They won't be able to identify you as having ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you an expert to be assessed and treated. If they are on a long waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed things up.
After you've been identified, you will be given an appointment with psychiatrists for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medication through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some instances it is necessary to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They may also have to rule out any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with a request to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that you can get ADHD medication on the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem excessive it is possible to choose one of the other providers that provide 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 you can do it.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are numerous 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 appointment for a diagnostic examination via phone or video with most private companies. You will be asked to provide information regarding your symptoms and how they impact your life and daily activities. They might also request details about your medical background. They will also want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your doctor will guide you through the assessment process. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a doctor who is willing to recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to get a diagnosis. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts they can find more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with you. undiagnosed adhd in adults may also look into other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood, not children. It is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more issues as you get older and face more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper assistance as a child.
Sometimes it's difficult to receive a diagnosis, particularly in the case of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about how an individual suffering from ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing you symptoms.