10 Meetups On How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD You Should Attend
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you suspect that you might have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. Due to shortages of medication, you could experience delays in obtaining diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
GPs are often a first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free of charge, or you may have to pay a fee. More details can be found on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to know that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you 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 any other people who know you. They will also look at how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your daily life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms might be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We recommend that you try to find a new GP in the event that your current doctor does not treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge however, it's worth asking for an appointment with. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. Doctors will want to know the specific details of your child's symptoms. Then, 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 has had these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an assessment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centres that are able to perform ADHD assessments. You'll need to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior 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 may ask for your work or school documents, or talk to your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way that your brain functions. Your specialist will be looking at the whole picture of how you are functioning and may also wish to check for other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. However, we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will remain a significant influence on your life.
You will be offered medication, regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documentation 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 choose your doctor and mental health team. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment online with an expert. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. Although they won't be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and you. Then, they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed things up.
After you've been identified and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see psychiatrists to be assessed and diagnosed. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and assess 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, they might have to rule out other conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also have to rule any drug or alcohol use out.
If they determine that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP to sign an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people prefer a mix of medications and CBT therapy is most efficient, however everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose', and it applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to select or if the NHS wait times are too long it is possible to choose one of the alternative 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. Request an assessment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for the referral or directly. Most private providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily life. They might also ask for information about your medical history. adhd diagnosis uk adult will also want to know whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk you through the assessment process. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for dealing with stress. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not know a physician who will send you to a psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to be diagnosed. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate, such as depression or an addiction disorder.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more issues as you age and face more problems. This is particularly true if you did not get the right assistance as a child.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing your symptoms.