How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to employment. There may be delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Speak with your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD will often consult their doctor first. They will take your concerns very seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Based on the location of your home it could be free or you might have pay a small amount. More information is available on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that about 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why your child or you might have trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you 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 take a look at how long your your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your child's or your own symptoms are better explained by a different condition (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
We suggest that you look for a new GP If your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge however, it's worth asking for a referral. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
After you've been referred for an assessment, the process should move quickly. The GP will request you or your child for specific details regarding 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 look to see if you or your child have suffered from these issues in the past, so they can compare. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD tests. You will need to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll probably have to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They may ask for your employment or school documents, or talk to your teachers, parents or daycare staff about your childhood. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning and may also wish to assess you for other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your physician 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 now we are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed privately and you're prescribed medication, it will first come from the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're in England you are legally entitled to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you feel that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment online with an expert. This could be a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is speak to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD formally but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. They should then refer you to a specialist to be assessed and treated. If they are on a long waiting list, they can find information on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed this up.
If you've been diagnosed to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine 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 may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. look at this website might also have to exclude any alcohol or drug abuse.
If getting diagnosed with adhd decide that you have ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most efficient, however everyone is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which offers a great guide about how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or directly yourself. You can request an assessment of diagnostics via video or phone call with most private companies. They will require you to provide details about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, and specific details about any 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 process of assessment. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. They will use this information to assess whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who will refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis quicker. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to determine pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They will also consider other health conditions that may impact your ability to focus like addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and they can cause more problems as you get older and encounter more difficulties. This is especially true if you did not receive the appropriate 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 an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing you symptoms.