How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to how is adhd diagnosed in adults
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD usually consult their GP first. They can take your concerns very seriously and send you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free, or you might be required to pay. More details are available 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 know that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and having a diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child may have difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child has ADHD Based on their observations, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your own symptoms are more easily explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
We recommend that you try to find a new GP in the event that your current doctor does not treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to get an appointment however it's well worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an assessment the process should be completed quickly. how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult will ask you or your child for details about your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, 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 look to see whether you or your child have suffered from these issues previously so that they can compare. how is adhd diagnosed in adults is important since the diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that are able to conduct ADHD evaluations. You'll need to request for a referral from your GP. You'll likely need to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your work or school records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about your experiences as a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to assess other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and they'll still have a significant impact on your life.
No matter 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 in the event that you are diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will be prescribed medication via the NHS. The private doctor can assist you in this process and provide your GP documentation to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can book an online appointment with a specialist. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD. Although they won't be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and you. They must then refer you an expert to be assessed and treated. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed this up.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only method to get access to medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During this appointment the psychiatrist will look at 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 cases they may have to rule out other conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also have to rule out any substance or alcohol use out.
If they determine that you have ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a form for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that you'll be able to receive ADHD medication on the NHS from your GP. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is most efficient, but every person is different.
If you reside in England it is worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure the best choice for you, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide about how to do this.
4. Request an assessment 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 the referral or call them directly. Most private providers will let you book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to provide details regarding your symptoms and how they impact your life and daily activities. They may also request details about your medical history. They will also want to know if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and strategies for coping. They will use this information to assess whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not know a physician who will refer you to one. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis more quickly. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if required.
A competent psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to search for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, including depression and addiction disorders.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only manifest in adults and cause more issues as you age and face more difficulties. This is especially true if your did not get the right support as a child.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed in the event that you're the minority group or are an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.