Watch Out: How How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk with your doctor
Doctors are often the first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child might have ADHD. They will be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free, or you might be required to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to remember that about 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why you or your child might have trouble staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out a different one. It isn't easy to ask for referrals, but it is worth it. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. The doctor will request details about your child's symptoms, and 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 whether you or your child has suffered from these issues in the past so they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD assessments. You will have to ask your GP to recommend one of these. You'll probably have to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about how you were as a child. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't only a problem with behavior It's also related to the way your brain works. Your specialist will look at your overall performance and may decide to examine other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your physician will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood, and they'll remain a significant influence on your life.
If diagnosing adhd 're an adult or a child you'll typically 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. Private clinics will be able to assist you with this, and will usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement on shared care, which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you
If you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from ADHD, the first thing to do is speak to your GP. While they may not be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and you. Then, they'll refer you to an expert for assessment 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 up this process.
After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine if 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 certain cases, they might need to rule out conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a decision. They may also have to rule out any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they find that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to obtain an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to get ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination 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 GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you are unsure about which provider to choose or think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can use one of the alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how you can do it.
4. Request an assessment with a specialist
In the UK There are a variety of specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can request a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private providers. They will ask you to provide information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with specific details about any medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk 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 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 in case you do not have a doctor who will recommend you to one. It's more expensive, but you will get the diagnosis quicker. If necessary, your psychiatrist may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to find additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They'll also take into consideration other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. It is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more issues as you age and encounter more problems. This is particularly relevant if you didn't receive the right support when you were an infant.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed if you're a member of a minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about how someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior, without taking note of your symptoms.